HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4.03 Bio&LandArchitAgmt CITY CLERK
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: May 18, 2004
SUBJECT: Establish Contract Services for a Biological and Landscape
Architecture Consultant on an as needed basis for services in the
Community Development Department
(Report Prepared by Jeri Ram, Planning Manager) ~
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution Approving Agreement with Wetlands Research
Associates, Incorporated Consultant Agreement
2. Consulting Services Agreement
3. Statement of Qualifications
RECOMMENDATION: 1. Receive Staff Report
~ 2. Adopt Resolution approving Consulting Agreement for
on-call Biological Consultant with Wetlands Research
3. Authorize the Community Development Director to sign on
behalf of the City.
FINANCIAL All charges to be funded through direct developer fees for
STATEMENT: Major Planned Development applications or as approved Planning
Division budgetary projects in the adopted budget. Consultant
services will be budgeted within yearly budgets as anticipated.
DESCRIPTION:
During the past several years, the City Council has authorized Staff to hire outside consultants on an as
needed basis to assist with specific areas of technical expertise (CEQA, acoustics, biology, large scale
specific plans, design review, etc.) and overflow of work. The Community Development Department has
contracted with several consulting firms on a project-by-project basis with much success. Anticipated
workloads over the next several years dictate that this Department continue to retain consultant firms to
handle overflow work in these areas including the general processing of entitlements for development
projects, as well as plan checks and field checks for those projects.
Staff is recommending adding an additional Biological Consultant, Wetlands Research Associates,' Inc. to
the Community Development Department's list of consultants. The City currently has a contract with
Wetlands Resources Associates for specific project work (the Resource Management Plan for the Eastern
Dublin Property Owners Project). This new contract would provide for biological consultanting services
on an as-needed basis. In addition, Wetlands Research has landscape architects on staff that has expertise
in designing and reviewing landscape architecture plans for sensitive biological areas such as creeks and
basins. Over the past several years issues on development projects relating to biological resources have
COPIES TO: Consultant
In House Distribution
increased. Therefore, Staff is requesting a contract with an additional biological and landscape
architecture consultant in order to keep up with the planning activities.
It is important to coordinate the availability of additional Community Development Department resources
to those in Public Works, Police, Fire and other outside interests to insure that all necessary resources are
available to handle a rapidly growing development review program and implementation of projects
approved and about to begin construction.
This typical contract contains provisions that the consultant will only perform work on a time and
material basis at the direction of the Community Development Director. No work will be done without
expressed permission and all costs will be charged to the Community Development Department budget in
accordance with costs associated With that project.
SUMMARY:
Again, as noted earlier, .no work will be done or funds expended unless funding is available and it has
been determined that outside help is needed to meet a specific time objective. This standard contract is
similar in nature to the master contract that has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive the Staff report, adopt Resolution approving the
Consulting Agreement with Wetlands Research and authorize the Community Development Director to
sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
G:agenda/2004/CC SR Wetlands Research Assoc.
RESOLUTION NO. - 04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WiTH WETLANDS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES INC.,
BIOLOGICAL AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE CONSULTANT,
ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
RELATED TO PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin is experiencing significant increases in new development
applications with biological issues; and
WHEREAS, specialized consultant assistance is necessary in certain speciality areas, such as
biological resources and landscape architecture relating to those sensitive biological areas; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin Planning Commission and City Council has directed Staffto
move projects expeditiously, and hire consultant firms when services are needed; and
WHEREAS, Wetlands Research Associates, Incorporated has demonstrated they have adequate
ability to perform the biological and landscape architecture services required; and
WHEREAS, consultants will only perform work on a time and material basis at the direction of
the Community Development Director; and
WHEREAS, all costs will be charged to the Community Development Department budget in
accordance with costs associated with certain projects; and
WHEREAS, the contracts have been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney's Office.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin does
approve the agreement with the above mentioned firm.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Community Development Director is authorized to
execute the agreements.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 18th day of May, 2004.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Mayor
ATTEST:
ATTACHMENT 1
CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF DUBLIN AND
WETLANDS RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.
THIS AGREEMENT for consulting services is made by and between the City of Dublin ("City") and
Wetlands Research Associates ("Consultant") as of May 18, 2004.
Section 1. SERVICES. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Consultant
shall provide to City the services described in the Scope of Work attached as Exhibit A at the time and
place and in the manner specified therein. In the event of a conflict in or inconsistency between the terms
of this Agreement and Exhibit A, the Agreement shall prevail.
1.1 Term of Services. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the date first noted above
and shall end on the date of which services are no longer needed. Consultant shall
complete the work described in Exhibit A prior to that date, unless the term of the
Agreement is otherwise terminated or extended, as provided for in Section 8. The time
provided to Consultant to complete the services required by this Agreement shall not affect
the City's right to terminate the Agreement, as provided for in Section 8.
1.2 Standard of Performance. Consultant shall perform all services required pursuant to this
Agreement in the manner and according to the standards observed by a competent
practitioner of the profession in which Consultant is engaged in the geographical area in
which Consultant practices its profession, Consultant shall prepare all work products
required by this Agreement in a substantial, first-class manner and shall conform to the
standards of quality normally observed by a person practicing in Consultant's profession.
1.3 Assignment of Personnel. Consultant shall assign only competent personnel to perform
services pursuant to this Agreement. In the event that City, in its sole discretion, at any
time during the term of this Agreement, desires the reassignment of any such persons,
Consultant shall, immediately upon receiving r~otice from City of such desire of City,
reassign such person or persons.
1.4 Time. Consultant shall devote such time to the performance of services pursuant to this
Agreement as may be reasonably necessary to meet the standard of performance
provided in Section 1.1 above and to satisfy Consultant's obligations hereunder.
Section 2. COMPENSATION. City hereby agrees to pay Consultant a sum not to exceed $90 per
hour notwithstanding any contrary indications that may be contained in Consultant's proposal, for services
to be performed and reimbursable costs incurred under this Agreement. In the event of a conflict between
this Agreement and Consultant's proposal, attached as Exhibit A, regarding the amount of compensation,
the Agreement shall prevail. City shall pay Consultant for services rendered pursuant to this Agreement at
the time and in the manner set forth herein. The payments specified below shall be the only payments from
City to Consultant for services rendered pursuant to this Agreement. Consultant shall submit all invoices to
City in the manner specified herein. Except as specifically authorized by City, Consultant shall not bill City
for duplicate services performed by more than one person.
Consulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.--Exhibit A Page 1 of 14
ATTACHMENT
Consultant and City acknowledge and agree that compensation paid by City to Consultant under this
Agreement is based upon Consultant's estimated costs of providing the services required hereunder,
including salaries and benefits of employees and subcontractors of Consultant. Consequently, the parties
further agree that compensation hereunder is intended to include the costs of contributions to any pensions
and/or annuities to which Consultant and its employees, agents, and subcontractors may be eligible. City
therefore has no responsibility for such contributions beyond compensation required under this Agreement.
2.1 Invoices. Consultant shall submit invoices, not more often than once a month during the
term of this Agreement, based on the cost for services performed and reimbursable costs
incurred prior to the invoice date. Invoices shall contain the following information:
· Serial identifications of progress bills; i.e., Progress Bill No. 1 for the first invoice,
etc.;
· The beginning and ending dates of the billing period;
· A Task Summary containing the original contract amount, the amount of prior
billings, the total due this period, the balance available under the Agreement, and
the percentage of completion;
· At City's option, for each work item in each task, a copy of the applicable time
entries or time sheets shall be submitted showing the name of the person doing
the work, the hours spent by each person, a brief description of the work, and
each reimbursable expense;
· The total number of hours of work performed under the Agreement by Consultant
, and each employee, agent, and subcontractor of Consultant performing services
:: hereunder, as well as a separate notice when the total number of hours of work by
Consultant and any individual employee, agent, or subCOntractor of Consultant
reaches or exceeds 800 hours, which shall include an estimate of the time
necessary to complete the work described in Exhibit A;
· The Consultant's signature.
2.2 Monthly Payment. City shall make monthly payments, based on invoices received, for
services satisfactorily performed, and for authorized reimbursable costs incurred. City
shall have 30 days from the receipt of an invoice that complies with all of the requirements
above to pay Consultant.
2.3 Final Payment. City shall pay the last 10% of the total sum due pursuant to this
Agreement within sixty (60) days after cOmpletion of the services and submittal to City of a
final invoice, if all services required have been satisfactorily performed.
2.4 Total Payment. City shall pay for the services to be rendered by Consultant pursuant to
this Agreement. City shall not pay any additional sum for any expense or cost whatsoever
incurred by Consultant in rendering services pursuant to this Agreement. City shall make
no payment for any extra, further, or additional service pursuant to this Agreement.
Consulting Services Agreement between MaY 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.-Exhibit A Page 2 of 14
In no event shall Consultant submit any invoiCe for an amount in excess of the maximum
amount of compensation provided above either for a task or for the entire Agreement,
unless the Agreement is modified prior to the submission of such an invoice by a properly
executed change order or amendment.
2.5 Hourly Fees. Fees for work performed by Consultant on an hourly basis shall not exceed
the amounts shown on the following fee schedule:
2.6 Reimbursable Expenses. Reimbursable expenses shall be included in the hourly rate
and not paid separately.
2.7 Payment of Taxes. Consultant is solely responsible for the payment of employment taxes
incurred under this Agreement and any similar federal or state taxes.
2.8 Payment upon Termination. In the event that the City or Consultant terminates this
Agreement pursuant to Section 8, the City shall compensate the Consultant for all
outstanding costs and reimbursable expenses incurred for work satisfactorily completed as
of the date of written notice of termination. Consultant shall maintain adequate logs and
timesheets in order to verify costs incurred to that date.
2.9 Authorization to Perform Services. The Consultant is not authorized to perform any
services or incur any costs whatsoever under the terms of this Agreement until receipt of
authorization from the Contract Administrator.
Section 3. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT. Except asset forth herein, Consultant shall, at its sole
'cost and expense, provide all facilities and equipment that may benecessary to Perform the services . ,,
required by this Agreement. City shall make available to ConsUltant only the facilities and equipment listed..
in this section, and only under the terms and conditions set forth herein.
City shall furnish physical facilities such as desks, filing cabinets, and conference space, as may be
reasonably necessary for Consultant's use while consulting with City employees and reviewing records and
the information in possession of the City. The location, quantity, and time of furnishing those facilities shall
be in the sole discretion of City. In no event shall City be obligatedto furnish any facility that may involve
incurring any direct expense, including but not limited to computer, long-distance telephone or other
communication charges, vehicles, and reproduction facilities.
Section 4. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. Before beginning any work under this Agreement,
Consultant, at its own cost and expense, shall procure "occurrence coverage" insurance against claims for
injuries to persons or damages to property that may arise from or in connection with the performance of the
work hereunder by the Consultant and its agents, representatives, employees, and subcontractors.
Consultant shall provide proof satisfactory to City of such insurance that meets the requirements of this
seCtion and under forms of insurance satisfactory in all respects to the City. Consultant shall maintain the
insurance policies required by this section throughout the term of this Agreement. The cost of such
insurance shall be included in the Consultant's bid. Consultant shall not allow any subcontractor to
commence work on any subcontract until Consultant has obtained all insurance required herein for the
Consulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.-Exhibit A Page 3 of 14
subcontractor(s) and provided evidence thereof to City. Verification of the required insurance shall be
submitted and made part of this Agreement prior to execution.
4.1 Workers' Compensation. Consultant shall, at its sole cost and expense, maintain
Statutory Workers' Compensation Insurance and Employer's Liability Insurance for any
and all persons employed directly or indirectly by Consultant. The Statutory Workers'
Compensation Insurance and Employer's Liability Insurance shall be provided with limits of
not less than ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) per accident. In the alternative,
Consultant may rely on a self-insurance program to meet those requirements, but only if
the program of self-insurance complies fully with the provisions of the California Labor
Code. Determination of whether a self-insurance program meets the standards of the
Labor Code shall be solely in the discretion of the Contract Administrator. The insurer, if
insurance is provided, or the Consultant, if a program of self-insurance is provided, shall
waive all rights of subrogation against the City and its officers, officials, employees, and
volunteers for loss arising from work performed under this Agreement.
An endorsement Shall state that coverage shall not be suspended, voided, canceled by
either party, reduced in coverage or in limits, except after thirty (30) days' prior written
notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, has been given to the City.
4.2 Commercial General and Automobile Liability Insurance.
4.2.1 General requirements. Consultant, at its own cost and expense, Shall maintain
commercial general and automobile liability insurance for the term of this
~: ~'. :::.' .:. Agreement inan amount not less than.ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) · .?~
. .: ,~..~.~:.~ ,~ ' ~ per occurrence, combined single limit coverage for dsks associated with the work ~
.!:-~.~. ,~. · :; ~'.-~.~ contemplated by this Agreement. If a Commercial General Liability Insurance or an ~
Automobile Liability form or other form with a general aggregate limit is used,
either the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to the work to be
performed under this Agreement or the general aggregate limit shall be at least
twice the required occurrence limit. Such coverage shall include but shall not be
limited to, protection against claims arising from bodily and personal injury,
including death resulting therefrom, and damage to property resulting from
activities contemplated under this Agreement, including the use of owned and non-
owned automobiles.
4.2.2 Minimum scope of coverage. Commercial general coverage shall be at least as
broad as Insurance Services Office Commercial General Liability occurrence form
CG 0001 (ed. 11/88) or Insurance Services Office form number GL 0002 (ed. 1/73)
covering comprehensive General Liability and Insurance Services Office form
number GL 0404 covering Broad Form Comprehensive General Liability.
Automobile coverage shall be at least as broad as Insurance Services Office
Automobile Liability form CA 0001 (ed. 12/90) Code 1 ("any auto"). No
endorsement shall be attached limiting the coverage.
Consulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.--Exhibit A Page 4 of 14
4.2.3 Additional requirements. Each of the following shall be included in the
insurance coverage or added as an endorsement to the policy:
a. City and its officers, employees, agents, and volunteers shall be covered
as insureds with respect to each of the following: liability arising out of
activities performed by or on behalf of Consultant, including the insured's
general supervision of Consultant; products and completed operations of
Consultant; premises owned, occupied, or used by Consultant; and
automobiles owned, leased, or used by the Consultant. The coverage
shall contain no special limitations on the scope of protection afforded to
City or its officers, employees, agents, or volunteers.
b. The insurance shall cover on an occurrence or an accident basis, and not
on a claims-made basis.
c. An endorsement must state that coverage is primary insurance with
respect to the City and its officers, officials, employees and volunteers,
and that no insurance or self-insurance maintained by the City shall be
called upon to contribute to a loss under the coverage.
d. Any failure of CONSULTANT to comply with reporting provisions of the
policy shall not affect coverage provided to CITY and its officers,
employees, agents, and volunteers.
e. An endorsement shall state that coverage shall not be suspended, voided,
canceled by either party, reduced in coverage or in limits, except after
.... thirty (30) days' pdor written notice by certified mail, retum receipt
requested, has been given to the City.
4.3 Professional Liability Insurance. Consultant, at its own cost and expense, shall
maintain for the period covered by this Agreement professional liability insurance for
licensed professionals performing work pursuant to this Agreement in an amount not less
than ONE MILLION DOLLARS {$1,000,000) covering the licensed professionals' errors
and omissions.
4.3.1 Any deductible or self-insured retention shall not exceed $150,000 per claim.
4.3.2 An endorsement shall state that coverage shall not be suspended, voided,
canceled by either party, reduced in coverage or in limits, except after thirty (30)
days' pdor written notice by certified maill return receipt requested, has been given
to the City.
4.3.3 The policy must contain a cross liability or severability of interest clause.
Consulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.--Exhibit A Page 5 of 14
4.3.4 The following provisions shall apply if the professional liability coverages are
written on a claims-made form:
a. The retroactive date of the policy must be shown and must be before the
date of the Agreement.
b. Insurance must be maintained and evidence of insurance must be
provided for at least five years after completion of the Agreement or the
work, so long as commercially available at reasonable rates.
c. If coverage is canceled or not renewed and it is not replaced with another
claims-made policy form with a retroactive date that precedes the date of
this Agreement, Consultant must provide extended reporting coverage for
a minimum of five years after completion of the Agreement or the work.
The City shall have the right to exercise, at the Consultant's sole cost and
expense, any extended reporting provisions of the policy, if the Consultant
cancels or does not renew the coverage.
d. A copy of the claim reporting requirements must be submitted to the City
prior to the commencement of any work under this Agreement.
4.4 All Policies Requirements.
4.4.1 Acceptability of insurers. All insurance required by this section is to be placed
with insurers with a Bests' rating of no less than A:VII.
4.4.2 Verification of coveraqe. Prior to beginning any work under this Agreement,
Consultant shall furnish City with certificates of insurance and with original
endorsements effecting coverage required herein. The certificates and
endorsements for each insurance policy are to be signed by a person authorized
by that insurer to bind coverage on its behalf. The City reserves the right to
require complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies, at any time.
4.4.3 Subcontractors. Consultant shall include all subcontractors as insureds under its
policies or shall furnish separate certificates and endorsements for each
subcontractor. All coverages for subcontractors shall be subject to all of the
requirements stated herein.
4.4.4 Variation. The City may approve a variation in the foregoing insurance
requirements, upon a determination that the coverages, scope, limits, and forms of
such insurance are either not commercially available, or that the City's interests
are otherwise fully protected.
Consulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.--Exhibit A Page 6 of 14
4.4.5 Deductibles and Self-Insured Retentions. Consultant shall disclose to and
obtain the approval of City for the self-insured retentions and deductibles before
beginning any of the services or work called for by any term of this Agreement.
During the period covered by this Agreement, only upon the prior express written
authorization of Contract Administrator, Consultant may increase such deductibles
or self-insured retentions with respect to City, its officers, employees, agents, and
volunteers. The Contract Administrator may condition approval of an increase in
deductible or self-insured retention levels with a requirement that Consultant
procure a bond, guaranteeing payment of losses and related investigations, claim
administration, and defense expenses that is satisfactory in all respects to each of
them.
4.4.6 Notice of Reduction in Coverage. In the event that any coverage required by
this section is reduced, limited, or materially affected in any other manner,
Consultant shall provide written notice to City at Consultant's earliest possible
opportunity and in no case later than five days after Consultant is notified of the
change in coverage.
4.5 Remedies. In addition to any other remedies City may have if Consultant fails to provide
or maintain any insurance policies or policy endorsements to the extent and within the time
herein required, City may, at its sole option exemise any of the following remedies, which
are alternatives to other remedies City may have and are not the exclusive remedy for
Consultant's breach:
' ' - · Obtain such insurance and deduct and retain the amount of the premiums for such ..
-~, -~ insurance from any sums due under the Agreement;
· Order Consultant to stop work under this Agreement or withhold any payment that
becomes due to Consultant hereunder, or both stop work and withhold any payment,
until Consultant demonstrates compliance with the requirements hereof; and/or
· Terminate this Agreement.
Section 5. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONSULTANT'S RESPONSIBILITIES. Consultant shall
indemnify, defend with counsel selected by the City, and hold harmless the City and its officials, officers,
employees, agents, and volunteers from and against any and all losses, liability, claims, suits, actions,
damages, and causes of action arising out of any personal injury, bodily injury, loss of life, or damage to
property, or any violation of any federal, state, or municipal law or ordinance, to the extent caused, in whole
or in part, by the willful misconduct or negligent acts or omissions of Consultant or its employees,
subcontractors, or agents, by acts for which they could be held strictly liable, or by the quality or character
of their work. The foregoing obligation of Consultant shall not apply when (1) the injury, loss of life, damage
to property, or violation of law arises wholly from the negligence or willful misconduct of the City or its
officers, employees, agents, or volunteers and (2) the actions of Consultant or its employees,
subcontractor, or agents have contributed in no part to the injury, loss of life, damage to property, or
Consulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.-Exhibit A Page 7 of 14
violation of law. It is understood that the duty of Consultant to indemnify and hold harmless includes the
duty to defend as set forth in Section 2778 of the California Civil Code. Acceptance by City of insurance
certificates and endorsements required under this Agreement does not relieve Consultant from liability
under this indemnification and hold harmless clause. This indemnification and hold harmless clause shall
apply to any damages or claims for damages whether or not such insurance policies shall have been
determined to apply. By execution of this Agreement, Consultant acknowledges and agrees to the
prOvisions of this Section and that it is a material element of consideration.
In the event that Consultant or any employee, agent, or subcontractor of Consultant providing services
under this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or the California Public Employees
Retirement System (PERS) to be eligible for enrollment in PERS as an employee of City, Consultant shall
indemnify, defend, and hold harmless City for the payment of any employee and/or employer contributions
for PERS benefits on behalf of Consultant or its employees, agents, or subcontractors, as well as for the
payment of any penalties and interest on such contributions, which would otherwise be the responsibility of
City.
Section 6. STATUS OF CONSULTANT.
6.1 Independent Contractor. At all times during the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall
be an independent contractor and shall not be an employee of City. City shall have the
right to contrOl Consultant only insofar as the results of Consultant's services rendered
pursuant to this Agreement and assignment of personnel pursuant to Subparagraph 1.3;
however, otherwise City shall not have the right to contrOl the means by which Consultant
accomplishes services rendered pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other
~ . City, state, or federal policy, rule, regulation, law, or ordinance to the contrary, Consultant
~ and any of its employees, agents, and subcontractors providing services under this ,~ ~
~ ' ~.:i~ Agreement shall not qualify for or become entitled to, and hereby agree to waive any and
all claims to, any compensation, benefit, or any incident of employment by City, including
but not limited to eligibility to enrOll in the California Public Employees Retirement System
(PERS) as an employee of City and entitlement to any contribution to be paid by City for
employer contributions and/or employee contributions for PERS benefits.
6.2 Consultant No Agent. Except as City may specify in writing, Consultant shall have no
authority, express or implied, to act on behalf of City in any Capacity whatsoever as an
agent. Consultant shall have no authority, express or implied, pursuant to this Agreement
to bind City to any obligatiOn whatsoever.
Section 7. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.
7.1 Governing Law. The laws of the State of California shall govern this Agreement.
7.2 Compliance with Applicable Laws. Consultant and any subcontractors shall comply with
all laws applicable to the performance of the work hereunder.
Consulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.-Exhibit A Page 8 of 14
7.3 Other Governmental Regulations. To the extent that this Agreement may be funded by
fiscal assistance from another governmental entity, Consultant and any subcontractors
shall comply with all applicable rules and regulations to which City is bound by the terms of
such fiscal assistance program.
7.4 Licenses and Permits. Consultant represents and warrants to City that Consultant and
its employees, agents, and any subcontractors have all licenses, permits, qualifications,
and approvals of whatsoever nature that are legally required to practice their respective
professions. Consultant represents and warrants to City that Consultant and its
employees, agents, any subcontractors shall, at their sole cost and expense, keep in effect
at all times during the term of this Agreement any licenses, permits, and approvals that are
legally required to practice their respective professions. In addition to the foregoing,
Consultant and any subcontractors shall obtain and maintain during the term of this
Agreement valid Business Licenses from City.
7.5 Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity. Consultant shall not discriminate, on the
basis of a person's race, religion, color, national origin, age, physical or mental handicap or
disability, medical conditiOn, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation, against any
employee, applicant for employment, subcontractor, bidder for a subcontract, or participant
in, recipient of, or applicant for any services or programs provided by Consultant under this
Agreement. Consultant shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws,
policies, rules, and requirements related to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in
em ployment, contracting, and the provision of any services that are the subject of this
Agreement, including but not limited to the satisfaction of any positive obligations required
. of Consultant thereby.
Consultant shall include the provisions of this Subsection in any subcontract approved by
the Contract Administrator or this Agreement.
Section 8. TERMINATION AND MODIFICATION.
8.1 Termination. City may cancel this Agreement at any time and without cause upon written
notification to Consultant.
Consultant may cancel this Agreement upon 30 days' written notice to City and shall
include in such notice the reasons for cancellation.
In the event of termination, Consultant shall be entitled to compensation for services
performed to the effective date of termination; City, however, may condition payment of
such compensation upon Consultant delivering to City any or all documents, photographs,
computer software, video and audio tapes, and other materials provided to Consultant or
prepared by or for Consultant or the City in connection with this Agreement.
8.2 Extension. City may, in its sole and exclusive discretion, extend the end date of this
Agreement beyond that provided for in Subsection 1.1. Any such extension shall require a.
Consulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.--Exhibit A Page 9 of 14
written amendment to this Agreement, as provided for herein. Consultant understands and
agrees that, if City grants such an extension, City shall have no obligation to provide
Consultant with compensation beyond the maximum amount provided for in this
Agreement. Similarly, unless authorized by the Contract Administrator, City shall have no
obligation to reimburse Consultant for any otherwise reimbursable expenses incurred
during the extension period.
8.3 Amendments. The parties may amend this Agreement only by a writing signed by all the
parties.
8.4 Assignment and Subcontracting. City and Consultant recognize and agree that this
Agreement contemplates personal performance by Consultant and is based upon a
determination of Consultant's unique personal competence, experience, and specialized
personal knowledge. Moreover, a substantial inducement to City for entering into this
Agreement was and is the professional reputation and competence of Consultant.
Consultant may not assign this Agreement or any interest therein without the prior written
approval of the Contract Administrator. Consultant shall not subcontract any portion of the
performance contemplated and provided for herein, other than to the subcontractors noted
in the proposal, without prior written approval of the Contract Administrator.
8.5 Survival. All obligations arising prior to the termination of this Agreement and all
provisions of this Agreement allocating liability between City and Consultant shall survive
the termination of this Agreement.
8.8 Options upon Breach by Consultant. If Consultant materially breaches any of the terms
of thiS Agreement, City's remedies shall included, but not be limited to, the following: : .
8.8.1 Immediately terminate the Agreement;
8.6,2 Retain the plans, specifications, drawings, reports, design documents, and any
other work product prepared by Consultant pursuant to this Agreement;
8.6.3Retain a different consultant to complete the work described in Exhibit A not
finished by Consultant; or
8.6.4 Charge Consultant the difference between the cost to complete the work
described in Exhibit A that is unfinished at the time of breach and the amount that
City would have paid Consultant pursuant to Section 2 if Consultant had
completed the work.
Section 9, KEEPING AND STATUS oF RECORDS.
9.1 Records Created as Part of Consultant's Performance. All reports, data, maps,
models, charts, studies, surveys, photographs, memoranda, plans, studies, specifications,
records, files, or any other documents or materials, in electronic or any other form, that
ConSulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.--Exhibit A Page 10 of 14
Consultant prepares or obtains pUrsuant to this Agreement and that relate to the matters
covered hereunder shall be the property of the City. Consultant hereby agrees to deliver
those documents to the City upon termination of the Agreement. It is understood and
agreed that the documents and other materials, including but not limited to those described
above, prepared pursuant to this Agreement are prepared specifically for the City and are
not necessarily suitable for any future or other use. City and Consultant agree that, until
final approval by City, all data, plans, specifications, reports and other documents are
confidential and will not be released to third parties without prior written consent of both
parties.
9.2 Consultant's Books and Records. Consultant shall maintain any and all ledgers, books
of account, invoices, vouchers, canceled checks, and other records or documents
evidencing or relating to charges for services or expenditures and disbursements charged
to the City under this Agreement for a minimum of three (3) years, or for any longer period
required by law, from the date of final payment to the Consultant to this Agreement.
9.3 Inspection and Audit of Records. Any records or documents that Section 9.2 of this
Agreement requires Consultant to maintain shall be made available for inspection, audit,
and/or copying at any time during regular business hours, upon oral or written request of
the City. Under California Govemment Code Section 8546.7, if the amount of public funds
expended under this Agreement exceeds TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000.00), the
Agreement shall be subject to the examination and audit of the State Auditor, at the
request of City or as part of any audit of the City, for a period of three {3) years after final
payment under the Agreement.
Section 10 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
10.1 Attorneys' Fees. If a party to this Agreement brings any action, including an action for
declaratory relief, to enforce or interpret the provision of this Agreement, the prevailing
party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees in addition to any other relief to which
that party may be entitled. The court may set such fees in the same action or in a
separate action brought for that purpose.
10.2 Venue. In the event that either party brings any action against the other under this
Agreement, the parties agree that trial of such action shall be vested exclusively in the
state courts of California in the County of Alameda or in the United States District Court for
the Northern District of California.
10.3 Severability. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds or rules that any provision of this
Agreement is invalid, void, or unenforceable, the provisions of this Agreement not so
adjudged shall remain in full force and effect. The invalidity in whole or in part of any
provision of this Agreement shall not void or affect the validity of any other provision of this
Agreement.
Consulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.--Exhibit A Page 11 of 14
10.4 No Implied Waiver of Breach. The waiver of any breach of a specific provision of this
Agreement does not constitute a waiver of any other breach of that term or any other term
of this Agreement.
10.5 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and shall apply to and bind the successors and assigns of the parties.
10.6 Use of Recycled Products. Consultant shall prepare and submit all reports, written
studies and other printed matedal on recycled paper to the extent it is available at equal or
less cost than virgin paper.
10.7 Conflict of Interest. Consultant may serve other clients, but none whose activities within
the corporate limits of City or whose business, regardless of location, would place
Consultant in a "conflict of interest," as that term is defined in the Political Reform Act,
codified at California Government Code Section 81000 et seq.
Consultant shall not employ any City official in the work performed pursuant to this
Agreement. No officer or employee of City shall have any financial interest in this
Agreement that would violate California Government Code Sections 1090 et seq.
Consultant hereby warrants that it is not now, nor has it been in the previous twelve (12)
months, an employee, agent, appointee, or official of the City. If Consultant was an
employee, agent, appointee, or official of the City in the previous twelve months,
Consultant warrants that it did not participate in any manner in the forming of this
Agreement. Consultant understands that, if this Agreement is made in violation of
Government Code §1090 et. seq., the entire Agreement is void and Consultant will not be
entitled to any compensation for services performed pursuant to this Agreement, including
reimbursement of expenses, and Consultant will be required to reimburse the City for any
sums paid to the Consultant. Consultant understands that, in addition to the foregoing, it
may be subject to criminal prosecution for a violation of Government Code § 1090 and, if
applicable, will be disqualified from holding public office in the State of California.
10.8 Solicitation. Consultant agrees not to solicit business at any meeting, focus group, or
interview related to this Agreement, either Orally or through any written materials.
10.9 ContraCt Administration. This Agreement shall be administered by Community
Development Director ("Contract Administrator"). All correspondence shall be directed to
or through the Contract Administrator or his or her designee.
10.10 Notices. Any written notice to Consultant shall be sent to:
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.
Thomas E. Fraser, Principal
2169 East Francisco Blvd., Suite G
San Rafael, CA 94901
Consulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.--Exhibit A Page 12 of 14
HRY-02-2004 15:11 I,dRR 415 454 8129 P.02/02
Any written notice to City shall be sent to:
Community Development Director
City of Dublin
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
10.11 Professional Seal. Where applicable in the determination of the contract administrator,
the first page of a technical report, first page of design specifications, and each page of
construction drawings shall be stamped/sealed and signed by the licensed professional
responsible for the report/design preparation, The stamp/seal shall be in a block entitled
"Seat and Signature of Registered Professional with report/design responsibility," as in the
following example.
Seal and Signature of Registered Professional with
report/design responsibility.
10.12 Integration, This Agreement, including the scope of work attached hereto and
incorporated hereto as Exhibit A., represents the entire and integrated agreement between
City and Consultant and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreemen[s,
either written or oral.
CiTY OF DUBLIN CONSULTANT
Richard C. Ambrose, City Manager T~omas E. Fraser, PrinciPal
Attest'. ~ .~t~.,~___~.
Kay Keck, City Clerk
\
Approved as to Form:
Elizabeth H. Silver, City Attorney
Consulting So,ices Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Reseamh Associ~es, Inc.-Exhibit A Page 13 of 14
TOTRL P.02
05/05/2004 WED 15:05 [TX/RX NO 8388] ~002
EXHIBIT A
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Provision of biological and lands and landscape architect services to the City of Dublin regarding
Conducting biological surveys as may be required in conjunction with development
entitlements
· Peer review of developer-submitted biological studies
· Landscape architecture services regarding biologically sensitive areas such as creeks, basins,
etc.
All services are to be performed at the direction of the Community Development Director or his/her
designee on an as needed basis.
Consulting Services Agreement between May 18, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.-Exhibit A Page 14 of 14
EXHIBIT B
COMPENSATION SCHEDULE
City hereby agrees to pay Consultant a sum not to exceed $90.00 per hour. In the event of a conflict
between this Agreement and Scope of Services, attached as Exhibit A, regarding the amount of
compensation, the Agreement shall prevail.
Consultant shall not bill for any reimbursable items unless previous approval has been granted.
City shall make no payment for any extra, further or additional service pursuant to this Agreement unless
such extra service and the price therefore is agreed to in writing executed by the City Manager or other
designated official of CITY authorized to obligate CITY thereto prior to the time such extra service is
rendered.
Consulting Services Agreement between April 20, 2004
City of Dublin and Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.--Exhibit B Page 1 of 1
WETLANDS RESEARCH
ASSOCIATES, INC.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS
WETLANDS AND ENDANGERED SPECIES SPECIALISTS
2169 E, Francisco Bivd,, Suite G
San Rafael, CA 94901
Tel: [415] 454-8868
Fax: [415] 454-0129
E-mail: wetlands@wra-ca,com
www,wra-ca,com ~
2004 ATTACI{~]ENT ~
CONTENTS
CORPORATE QUALIFICATIONS ........................................... 1
STAFF .................................................................... 2
CLIENTS ................................................................. 13
SERVICES OFFERED ..................................................... 15
WETLAND DELINEATION
AND ASSESSMENT ........................................... 15
PERMITS AND REGULATION ....................................... 16
MITIGATION PLANNING,
IMPLEMENTATION, AND
MONITORING ............................................... 17
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT ASSESSMENT ....................................... 18
BIOLOGICAL STUDIES:
SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES ................................... 19
RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT PLANNING .................... 20
EXPERT CONSULTATION
AND WITNESS SERVICES ..................................... 21
SELECTED PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS ............. ........................ 22
CEQA/NEPA EXPERIENCE .......................................... 23
WETLAND DELINEATION,
ASSESSMENT AND PERMITTING ............................. 25
BCDC APPROVALS ................................................. 28
ENDANGERED SPECIES AND
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ................................... 30
REFERENCES ............................................................ 35
CORPORATE QUALIFICATIONS
~ W; t 1 a n d s Section 10/404, coastal zone, and
e s e a r c h Section 401 permits
Associates, Inc.
provides pro fe s sional · Construction and post-construction
consulting services in WETLANDS AND monitoring forwetlands and endangered
ENDANGERED SPECIES ISSUES. Formed species protection
in 1981, Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.
has completed over 800 projects for · Field and laboratory research on
government agencies, non-profit wetland vegetation and associated
organizations, and private companies. The wildlife
firm is well versed in all aspects of wetland
ecology and endangered and threatened Wetlands Research Associates, Inc.
species biology. Services the firm provides provides its clients with a full range of
include: services in the biological sciences and
environmental planning. Our staff is
· Rare and endangered plant and animal experienced in the application of federal and
surveys state wetland and endangered species
regulations and trained in the habitat
· Wetlands delineation and mapping using evaluation methods used by public agencies.
federal and state methodologies Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. provides
complete services in the evaluation,
· Wetland restoration and mitigation planning, and implementation of wetland and
planning and implementation endangered species habitat restoration and
mitigation projects.
·Habitat functions and values assessment
· Wetland and bi'°logical resource impact
assessment for EIR/EIS documents
· Environmental management and
mitigation monitoring plans
·Ecological risk assessment and habitat
remediation plans
· Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) and
Section 7 biological assessments for
endangered and threatened species Marsh Restoration, South San Francisco Bay
·Federal, state and regional permits for
projects affecting wetlands including
1
STAFF
Michael N. Josselyn, PhD Josselyn is currently retained as a wetlands
President consultant to the California Coastal
Certified Professional Wetland Scientist Conservancy.
Dr. Josselyn is internationally known for his Dr. Josselyn has taught courses in wetland
expertise in wetland ecology and restoration, restoration and mitigation for the Corps of
He has authored or edited several books and Engineers, the Wetland Training Institute,
more than 50 articles on wetland ecology and and CLE International. He also teaches the
mitigation published in national and 40 hour Wetland Delineator Certification
intemati0nal scientific journals. He is course.
certified by the Society of Wetland Scientists
as a Professional Wetland Scientist. Dr. Josselyn is a Professor of Biology at San
Francisco State University where he teaches
As a co-founder and President of Wetlands and conducts research on wetland and
Research Dr. is estuarine and He is
Associates,
Josselyn
ecology
management.
a
Principal-in-charge for the firm's wetland member of the Society of Wetland Scientists,
restoration and mitigation projects, land use Estuarine Research Federation, Society for
planning studies, environmental impact Ecological Restoration, and Western Society
statements, and remedial action plans for of Naturalists, and the Association of
wetlands in hazardous waste sites. Environmental Professionals. He was
elected in 1984 as a Fellow of the California
He has successfully completed major wetland Academy.
mitigation and restoration projects for
transportation agencies, port authorities,
utilities, private developers, and non-profit James W. Buchholz, MA
organizations. He has led multi-disciplinary Principal - Senior Wetland Ecologist
teams in the preparation of major wetland Certified Professional Wetland Scientist
restoration plans in San Francisco Bay,
southern California, northern Virginia, and Mr. Buchholz is co-founder and a Wetlands
coastal New Jersey. Research Associates Principal with over 20
years of experience in wetland restoration
As a recognized expert in his field, he has and enhancement, wetland delineation,
served on national advisory committees to wetland assessment studies, mitigation
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. planning and monitoring.
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Mr. Buchholz has acted as the Project
Atmospheric Administration, and the Manager and Principal-in-charge of wetland
National Wetlands Technical Council in the restoration and enhancement projects
development of federal wetland policy and involving tidal, seasonal, and freshwater
research. Dr. Josselyn has also provided marsh wetlands, riparian habitats, sUbtidal
eXpert witness services to the Department of areas, buffer zones, and coastal dunes and
Justice and the State of California. Dr. scrub.
2
He has extensive experience using the
technical team approach to environmental Douglas Spicher, MA
assessment and restoration planning studies. Principal - Senior Wetland Ecologist
He has acted both as the prime consultant, Certified Professional Wetland Scientist
project manager and as a subconsultant,
biological task leader on major projects. He Mr. Spicher has more than 17 years of
is effective in facilitating team development ecological experience in a variety of wetland
of creative solutions to difficult, habitats including tidal, seasonal, andinland
interdisciplinary technical problems, freshwater wetlands and riparian woodlands
on the east and west coasts. He has extensive
Mr. Buchh°lz has a record of working experience in plant identification and
closely with government resource and distribution in natural habitats and in the
regulatory agencies in developing successful ecology, cultivation, and growth of
resolutions to resource management California native plants.
problems and mitigation requirements. He
has extensive experience at all levelS of He is responsible for habitat 'assessment
environmental review and permitting projects, and in planning and implementation
processes including those for federal (NEPA, of mitigation, restoration, enhancement, and
Section 404 and 10, Endangered Species), monitoring projects. Mr. Spicher has
state and regional (CEQA, BCDC, Coastal completed numerous jurisdictional wetland
Commission,RWQCB)jurisdictionsforboth determinations in both private and
private and public agency clients. He is government sectors using Army Corps of
experienced in the application of Section404 Engineers delineation manuals. He is also
and Section 10 delineation procedures and experienced in habitat functions and values
the US Fish and Wildlife Service wetland analysis using the Hydrogeomorphicmethod
classification system and Habitat Evaluation and other methodologies.
Procedure (HEP).
He has taught courses in wetland delineation,
Mr. Buchholz is a member of the Society of salt marsh ecology, and habitat evaluation
Wetland Scientists, Society for Ecological and has published articles and advised public
Restoration, and the Association of agencies concerning invasive non-native
Environmental Professionals. plants. Mr. Spicher is affiliated with the
Society of Wetland Scientists, Society for
Ecological Restoration, California Botanical
Society, California Native Grass Association,
and the California Exotic Pest Plant Council.
Mr. Spicher received his M.S. in Biology
from San Francisco State University in 1984
and his B.A. in Biology from University of
Montana in 1979.
owl, California tiger salamander, westem
Thomas E. Fraser, MS pond red-legged frog.
turtle
and
California
Principal- Senior Plant Ecologist He holds a USFWS permit to conduct
surveys for listed vernal pool crustaceans.
Mr. Fraser received his Masters degree in Mr. Dreier has assisted with the planning and
Plant BiologY from the University of implementation of a watershed monitoring
California at Davis specializing in the program for the Ten Mile River in
physiology ofwater-stressedplants. He has Mendocino County. This study included
over 10 years of experience conducting and salmonid density estimates,
supervising vegetation mapping, botanical macroinvertebrate sampling and
assessments, and rare plant in identification, temperature monitoring, and
surveys
habitats that include marshes, vernal pools, sediment sampling. He has coordinated
riparian forests, oak woodlands, serpentine research among state and federal agencies
grasslands and chaparral, and annual including the California Department of Fish
grasslands, and Game, California Department of
Forestry, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and
Mr. Fraser has prepared comprehensive rare the National Marine Fisheries Service.
plant and floristic survey reports for areas
throughout northern California. He has Mr. Dreier is responsible for fish and ~vildlife
comPletedjurisdictional wetland delineations surveys, habitat evaluations, and report
in bOth the private and public sectors using preparation.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers techniques.
Mr. Fraser conducts rare plant surveys and
jurisdictional wetland delineations, Philip J. Greet, MA
implements botanical and wetland mitigation Associate Plant Ecologist
and monitoring plans, and prepares technical
reports and federal and state permits required Mr. Greer received his Masters degree in
under the Endangered Species Act and the Ecology and Systematic Biology from San
Clean Water Act. Francisco State University emphasizing plant
ecology and wetland restoration. He studied
Mr. Fraser is a member of the Society of the effects of sedimentation on colonization
Wetlands Scientists, Association of of intertidal mudflats by Pacific cordgrass
Environmental Professionals, and the (Spartinafoliosa).
California Native Plant Society.
Mr. Greer has managed the collection and
analysis of data in a variety of habitat types
Jeff S. Dreier, BS including coastal mudflats and saltmarsh,
Senior Associate Wildlife Biologist seasonal and perennial freshwater wetlands,
and riparian forests. He has sampled,
Mr. Dreier received his B.S. degree in analyzed and reported on vegetation, fish,
Biology from Chico State University. He is birds, benthic invertebrates, water quality,
experienced in conducting surveys for sediments and sediment accretion and
several special status species including coho erosion. He has performed wetland
salmon, northern spotted owl, burrowing restoration monitoring, rare plant surveys and
4
wetland delineations for private clients and enhancement, GIS and mapping techniques,
public agencies, prepared as as aspects report production
He
has
well
other
of
applications for state and federal permits and presentation.
related to CEQA and the Clean Water Act.
Mr. Greer is a member of the Society of George Salvaggio, MS, MLA
Wetland Scientists, California Botanical Associate Landscape Architect
Society and California Native Grass Wetland Horticulturist
Association.
Mr. Salvaggio received his Masters degree in
landscape architecture from Cornell
Shannon Lucas, BS University where he specialized in landscape
Associate Biologist and urban design. He has four years of
experience designing landscapes for
Ms. Lucas received her BS degree in Biology residential, commercial, and restoration
with an emphasis in Ecology from projects. His graduate research focused
Dominican University of California. She has on the hydrology analysis for construction
also received training in wetland delineation wetlands. He has experience preparing
and permitting. She has over five years of construction documents including grading
experience in habitat restoration, botanical plans, planting plans, irrigation plans, and
identification, and native plant seed construction details. He is responsible for
collection in various habitat types including designing created wetlands, and developing
coastal grasslands and wetlands, riparian planting plans for revegetationprojects.
corridors and freshwater wetlands, and oak
woodlands. She conducted a study involving Mr. Salvaggio is responsible for the design of
the vegetation preferences of the endangered revegetation programs for native and
Mission blue butterfly. She has managed endangered plant species. These programs
projects involving botanical, hydrological often include collecting plants from the field,
and endangered species monitoring. She has propagating plants, and re-planting plants at
conducted numerous wetland delineations the restoration site. He is also responsible
and biological and rare plant assessments, for developing pilot planting programs for
including associated permit preparation. She high risk projects for which propagation
has also participated in the development Protocols not target species
of
do
exist
for
large-scale regulatory documents, such as and/or the project has unusual site
Restoration and Management Plans, conditions. He has performed graduate
Environmental Impact Reports (EIR), and research in the areas of plant propagation,
Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP). plant tissue culture, and planting techniques.
He has developed germination proposals for
Ms. Lucas is experienced in volunteer several endangered plants and native wetland
management and training and has created plants. He has conducted research' in the
several public education documents and eradication of invasive wetland plants,
brochures. She is also with wetland and
experienced
nursery
practices,
population
natiVe plant propagation and planting. She is genetics of native plants.
familiar with graphic design, photographic
5
Mr. Salvaggio also received a Masters degree
in computer science from Johns Hopkins Jacqneline Bishop, BA
University where he specialized in software Biologist
algorithms, image processing, artificial
and database Ms. has B.A. in
intelligence,
management
Bishop
a
degree
systems. He has 11 years of experience Environmental Studies from the University
developing software applications. He of California Santa Cruz. Her course work
currently is responsible for the technical focused on marine ecology and included
coordination of GIS, CAD, and Remote classes on terrestrialbiology, applied marine
Sensing services, ecology, and plant physiology. Her
biological science experience includes
research on the efficiency of nitrogen
Crystal M. Acker, MS fixation using root respiration and ~4N:ISN
Biologist isotope abundance techniques.
Ms. Levine received her M.S degree in plant Ms. Bishop has experience mapping
biology with a concentration in ecology from salmonid habitats using GPS technology and
Arizona State University. She is experienced conducting redd surveys on the Mokelumne
in designing and conducting greenhouse River, California. Her botanical experience
experiments and is familiar with native seed includes surveying oak forest development,
collection and plant propagation. She has monitoring rare plant communities such as
published articles on applying ecological holocarpha macrodenia, developing
principles to control the spread of exotic and vegetation maps, and quantifying
invasive plant species in river corridors. Ms. physiological stress. Her wildlife experience
Levine's undergraduate studies focused on includes herpetological cover board
environmental field biology, including sampling, monitoring of Oncorhynchus
studies on insects, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mykiss using sonic telemetry tags and
birds and plants. In addition she has training electrofishing surveys, and conducting
in hydrology, limnology and biochemistry, habitat suitability surveys for Rand aurora
both in the laboratory and the field, draytonii. Ms. Bishop has experience
collecting and assimilating behavioral data
Ms. Levine has conducted rare plant and on abalone (Haliotis asinina) and spaghetti
floristic surveys in marsh, riparian, grassland, worms (Terebellid spp.) on the Great Barrier
desert, mixed evergreen forest and ridgetop Reef, Australia. Her experience using ESRI
habitats, and is experienced in multiple field ArcMap software includes creating GIS
sampling techniques as well as plant maps, publishing GIS projects and
collection andtaxonomicidentification. She geographic data to the internet using
has experience capturing and re-locating ArclMS, and developing 3D models using
western pond monitoring ArcScene.
turtles
and
wildlife
of red-legged frogs, tiger salamanders and
burrowing owls.
Mr. Cowell has field experience in both
~ Ryan B. Carlson, BLA, MLA
Massachusetts
and
California.
He
has
Landscape Designer worked with the Point Reyes Bird
Observatory, participating in an on going
E Carlson received Masters and study the reproductive success of coastal
Mr.
a
on
'Bachelors in Landscape Architecture from scrub habitat songbirds. This research
the University of Oregon as well as a involved constant effort mist netting,
[! Bachelors of Science in Environmental territory mapping, vegetation surveys,
Studies. His graduate research foCused on the banding of adults and young, behavioral
intersection of language and ecology. He has observation, and point count surveys. Mr.
~ particular interest in rivers, wetlands, Cowell has also worked on conservation
L.~
strormwater and metaphors. His research and projects for the Audubon Society to restore
designs revealed the prevalence of metaphor nesting habitat for endangered Roseate Terns
in our everyday experience through persons' and Piping Plovers. This work included
~.~ thoughtful interaction with the landscape, performing behavioral observations and
erecting predator exclusion fences. In
Mr. Carlson is experienced in planting design addition to Mr. Cowell's wildlife experience,
for stream mitigation and construction he has three years of experience working
document preparation. He oversees and with soil and groundwater remediation. He
engages projects from design development to has performed analytical research on
conStruCtion docUments. He writes anaerobic bacteria that degrade subsurface
construction specifications and project cost contaminants. He is experienced in a number
~ estimates. In addition, he coordinates and of soil and water sampling and quality
writes restoration and interpretation reports analysis techniques.
for areas containing critical cultural and
~ ecological value.
[.j Justin Davilla, BS
Biologist
David Cowell, BS
Wildlife Biologist Mr. Davilla has a B.S. degree in Biology
from California Polytechnic State University
Mr. Cowell received a BS in Wildlife and in San Luis Obispo, CA. His course work
· Fisheries Conservation from the University focused on physiology and included classes
of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA. There he in vertebrate and environmental physiology,
received training in small mammal mark and ecology and plant taxonomy. He also
,~ recapture censuses, large mammal telemetry, received an academic minor in Business
and electrofishing techniques. His studies Administration.
included wildlife population dynamics, forest
· fire ecology, and conservation biolOgy~ He is Mr. Davilla has experience planning and
presently working on a M.S. in conducting botanical surveys in the Plumas
Environmental Management at the National Forest, including efforts to locate
~ University of San Francisco. occurrences category one federally listed,
of
threatened species Pyroccoma lucida, Ivesia
aperta, Ivesia sericoleuca and Botrychium
7
crenulatum. His wetland experience includes protocols and contingency measures to meet
survey efforts related to alpine meadow performance
criteria.
watershed restoration, creekbank
stabilization and Eastern Sierra sagebrush He is experienced in the application of U.S.
scrub upland improvement projects. He has Army Corps of Engineers
and
Federal
additional background experience in plant Interagency wetland delineation procedures.
habitat identification and taxonomy, GIS and He has prepared applications for Clean Water
GPS information technologies, Act, Section 404 and 10permits, Section401
environmental impact monitoring and certifications, Endangered Species Act, and
amphibian habitat characterization. Mr. other permit programs.
Davilla has also assisted with accounting,
financial reporting and project budgeting.
Giselle M. Goulette, MLA
Landscape Designer
Timothy DeGraff, BS
Wetland Scientist Ms. Goulette received a Master's degree in
Landscape Architecture from Utah State
Mr. DeGraff received his B.S. in UniVersity and a Bachelor of Science in
Environmental Biology from Plymouth State Botany from University of Wyoming. Her
College and has received additional training graduate research focused on monitoring,
in marine/freshwater ecology, plant maintaining and funding strategies for
identification, and wetland regulation at wetland mitigation completed during
Rutgers University. Mr. DeGraff has highway construction projects. She has
cOmpleted wetlands delineations covering a served as a teaching assistant for classes in
wide array of habitat types including riparian landscape architecture courses, conducting
forested wetlands, coastal salt marshes, and project critiques and creating presentation
vernal pools. He has completed seagrass documents.
surveys, vegetation inventories, and
conducted field searches for special status Ms. Goulette is familiarwith planting design,
species including bog turtles (Clemmys site analysis and design, residential design,
muhlenbergii), wood turtles (Clemmys environmental planning, and preparation of
insculpta), and blue-spotted salamanders construction documents. She is experienced
(Ambystoma laterale), in large s~ale watershed planning studies that
include projecting growth and conservation
He has served as the lead planner for wetland scenarios within the watershed. She also has
mitigation projects and has developed for
experience
designing
landscapes
restoration and enhancement designs compatible human and wildlife use.
including planting plans, soil specifications,
and conceptual grading plans to meet the
mitigation requirements of the Army Corps Andy Hatch, MS
of Engineers. MrDeGraffhas also prepared Wildlife Biologist
vegetation monitoring reports for restored
wetlands, including developmentofsampling Mr. Hatch received a BS in Earth Systems
and an MS in Biological Sciences from
8
Stanford University. Research included an depths and hydroperiods associated with
investigation of how plant species diversity stormwater runoff.
is related to the snow avalanche disturbance
regime in Glacier National Park, and an Ms. Miller has conducted floristic surveys in
AVARIS-based remote sensing project in wetland and grassland habitats and is
California's WhiteMountains. experienced in multiple field sampling
techniques as well as plant collection and
Mr. Hatch has over two experience taxonomic identification. She has experience
years
conducting wildlife surveys in the Central locating and monitoring nests of the Suisun
Sierra Nevada including infrared photo- Song Sparrow, conducting point counts in
detection surveys for rare forest carnivores, tidal marsh habitats, and conducting airboat
amphibian surveys and habitat assessments, surveys for California clapper rails. She has
Mr. Hatch is familiar with survey techniques installed and maintained groundwater and
and current research for many California sedimentation monitoring equipment
sensitive species and has conducted surveys including wells, continuous stage recorders,
for Yosemite Toad (Bufo canorus), Foothill and sediment disks. She has also used aerial
yellow-legged frog (Rana boyliO, and photos and GPS to map wetland vegetation
Mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana and landscape features.
muscosa) using protocols developed by the
US Forest Service. In addition to extensive
fieldwork, Mr. Hatch is familiar with KailashMozumder, BS
California and federal environmental laws Biologist
and regulations and has participated in a
collaborative re-licencing process for a series Mr. Mozumder has a B.S. degree in Ecology,
of hydroelectric projects on the Stanislaus Behavior and E(~olution from the University
river that involved agency, industry, and non- of California San Diego. His studies focused
government organization representatives, on field biology and environmental science,
including course work and field studies on
intertidal systems, population modeling, and
Rebecca C. Miller, MS exPerimental design.
Biologist
He has completed surveys, vegetation
Ms. Miller received her M.S degree in inventories, and conducted field research on
conservation biology with a concentration in special status species including the salt marsh
wetland ecology from University of harvest mouse (Reithrodontomysraviventris)
Wisconsin-Madison. She is experienced in and the California clapper rail (RaIlus
designing and conducting field and longirostris obsoletus). Mr. Mozumder has
mesocosm experiments. She has helped also helped prepare numerous monitoring
design ~vetland restoration experiments and reports and is familiar with various field
has collected native seed, propagated plants, sampling methods. He is experienced in
and removed invasive plants to restore GPS and GIS mapping and database
wetland and Upland habitats. She has technologies. His wetland mitigation
published articles on how native and invasive experience includes soil erosion, grading,
wetland plants respond to varying water and habitat restoration.
9
Luis Obispo. Her course work included
Gabriel Oison, BA plant
classes
in
physiology,
systematics,
CAD / GIS Technician, Cartographer ecology, anatomy, taxonomy and pathology.
Additional course work and field studies
Mr. Olson received his Bachelor of Arts in focused on insects, marine invertebrates,
Anthropology from the University of reptiles, amphibians, and fungi.
California, at Berkeley, with concentrations
in both archaeology and physical geography. Ms. Parravano's background includes
He has produced professional mapping utilizing a variety of quantitative field
products for a number of academic sampling techniques for vegetation surveys
archaeological projects, including the and rare plant monitoring, wetland
projects in the Pyrenees of Southern France, delineation and characterization, plant
Northern Iran, and the San Francisco Bay community mapping and classification,
Area. In addition, Mr. Olson developed a amphibian and fish habitat evaluation,
web-based global mapping system, designed revegetation monitoring, exotic plant species
for ease ofpublic access to dissertation work management, and watershed health
done at U.C. Berkeley. assessments. She has worked in a variety of
California habitat types including salt,
Mr. Olson's undergraduate work focused on brackish and freshwater marshes, riparian
the archaeology and geographic implications wetlands, wet meadows, seasonal ponds, oak
of human population dynamics in the San woodlands, grassland, montane and coastal
Francisco Bay Area during the late Holocene coniferous forest, mixed evergreen forest,
period. In the course of these studies, Mr. maritime chaparral, Great Basin sagebrush,
Olson has developed extensive software desert dry wash, alkali flats, and serpentine
experience with ArcView, AutoCAD, and outcrops.
other illustrative cartographic tools such a
IllUstrator and Freehand. In addition, he has Ms. Parravano's wetland experience
a ful compliment of web-design skills using includes survey efforts related to evaluating
Java, HTML, Photoshop, Dreamweaver and baseline wetland and vegetation conditions
web-server management software. Mr. Olson for salt marsh restoration, riparian habitat
has diverse GIS and cartographic experience · enhancement and development projects. She
in fields that include archaeological, has managed a wetland mapping, and
historical, and natural resource assessment, inventory project
for
the
National
Park
global database visualization, and mapping Service. In addition, Ms. Parravano is
for land-use planning, experienced using a combination of GIS,
aerial photos and CPS to map wetland and
vegetation features.
Amy Parravano, BS
Wetland BiolOgist
Dana Riggs, BS
Ms. Parravano received a B.S. degree in Biologist
Ecology and Systematic Biology with a
concentration in Plant Ecology from Ms. Riggs received her BS degree in Earth
California PolytechnicStateUniversity, San Systems Science and Policy with an
10
emphasis in Coastal and Marine Ecology Bureau ofLandManagement, surveying and
from California State University Monterey monitoring rare plant populations, and the
Bay. She has experience surveying and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, monitoring
monitoring in a variety of environments special status species, including the
tidal salt and freshwater wetlands, California rail, metalmark
including
clapper
Lange's
tidal pools, riparian habitats, oak woodland butterfly, Santa-Cruz long-toed salamander,
and vernal pools. She has conducted studies Antioch Dunes evening primrose, and the
on forest health, acorn mast production, black legless lizard. Ms. Schneider also
native plant propagation and success rates, participated in an ongoing Point Reyes Bird
base flow monitoring, and census studies. Observatory study on tidal marsh songbird
She has received training from the Regional reproductive success. This study involved
State Water Quality Control Board for the behavioral observation, territory mapping,
application and management ofsediment and nest searching and monitoring, banding of
erosion control methods, adults and young, vegetation analysis, point
Ms. Riggs is experienced in GPS mapping count surveys, and GPS and ArcView wOrk.
techniques and capable in the use of water She is experienced in a variety of plant and
quality sampling equipment, quantitative wildlife surveying techniques and monitoring
field sampling techniques, ecological protocols.
modeling, photographic enhancement, plant
taxonomy, and basic electronic skills
including circuit design, assembly and Justin Semion, BS
troubleshooting. Environmental Technician
Mr. Semion has a B.S. degree in Resource
Trina Schneider, BA Ecology and Management from the
Wildlife Biologist University of Michigan School of Natural
Resources in Ann Arbor, MI. His
Ms. Schneider received a B.A. in biology coursework focused on wetland and riparian
from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. ecology, including taxonomy of flora and
She focused on ecology and the environment fauna. Mr. Semion has experience planning
and designed a number of investigations, and participating in various restoration
such as the effects of population density on projects in the Golden Gate National
Brassica seedling success, and an analysis of Recreation Area, including projects in Muir
lichen diversity in old growth vs. second Woods, Stinson Beach and Crissy Field. He
growth forest, has also had a year of experience
implementing and monitoring soil erosion
Ms. Schneider has extensive field experience control methods with Washtenaw County,
in both Oregon and California. She conducts MI. His background includes vegetative
habitat assessments and surveys for special surveying and monitoring, GIS, GPS, water
status species in the San Francisco Bay area, quality monitoring, stream characterization,
including California red-legged frogs, and wetland delineation and characterization.
California tiger salamanders, aquatic
invertebrates, burrowing owls, and San
Joaquin kit foxes. She has worked with the
11
the utilities industry. He is proficient in the
of data in real world coordinates
Carey
Stone,
BA
reprojection
Environmental Technician as well as working with aerial photographs
and other images. He has played an essential
Ms. Stone received her B.A. in Sociology part in the creation of GIS habitat data for
from the University of California at Santa endangered species. He is experienced in
Cruz. Her studies concentrated on analysis collecting habitat survey data, including
between classic and modern social theories special status species, using a global
and their relation to current societal issues, positioning system and transferring this data
She is proficient in Spanish and has studied into the GIS environment. Mr. Zumwalt has
Mexican history and art at the Centro de also developed custom GIS applications and
Ensefianza para Extranjeros (CEPE) branch implemented efficient automated techniques
of the Universidad Nacional Ant6noma of for repetitive tasks.
Mexico (UNAM) in Taxco, Mexico.
Ms. Stone has experience with the Federal
procurement process and project tracking and
reporting. Ms. Stone's current
responsibilities include: report editing and
production, proposal development and
contract administration, project coordination,
and graphics production.
Chris Zumwalt, BS
GIS Technician
Mr. Zumwalt received his Bachelor of
Science in Geography from the University of
Nevada Reno as well as completing the
requirements for his Minor in Biology. His
studies in Geography emphasized
cartography and the use of geographical
information systems (GIS). Mr. Zumwalt has
extensive experience with multiple
applications of GIS including ESRI products,
Maplnfo, and Smallworld. He is also trained
in AutoCAD, computer information
technology, data base maintenance, and
programming with Visual Basic.
Mr. Zumwalt has diverse GIS experience in
fields that include biological resources, land-
use planning, natural hazard assessment, and
12
CLIENTS
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. has successfully completed projects' for a variety of
clients including federal and state agencies, local and regional authorities, non- profit
organizations, consulting firms, and Private companies. A partial list of clients includes:
FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Conservation and
U.S. Department of Justice Development Commission
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service California Department of Transportation
National Oceanic and Delaware Department of Transportation
Atmospheric Administration Michigan Department of Transportation
California Coastal Conservancy Virginia Department of Transportation
REGIONAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES
City of San Francisco County of Orange
City of San Jose Port of Long Beach
City of Santa Clara Port of Los Angeles
City of Palo Alto City of Chula Vista
East Bay Regional Park District City of Los Angeles
Port of Oakland
UTILITIES/TRANSPORTATION
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit Conrail
Pacific Gas and Electric Delmarva Power and Light
Southern California Edison Dulles Toll Road (TRIP II)
Public Service Electric and Gas Virginia Toll Road Corporation
Columbia Gas Systems
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Friends of Ballona Wetlands Solano County Farmlands and
Huntington Beach Conservancy Open Space Foundation
Marin Audubon Society Sonoma Land Trust
INDUSTRY AND CONSTRUCTION
Cargill Salt, Western Division Kaufman Broad, San Diego
13
Chevron, Richmond Koll Company, Irvine
3Corn, San Jose Chicago Bridge and Iron
Santa Fe Realty, San Francisco LinColn Properties, Dallas
Oracle Corp., Redwood City Southwest Diversified, Las Vegas
KG Land, Redwood City Waste Management International
California Jockey Club, Redwood City Seneca Meadows Landfill
De Silva Group Westinghouse Electric
Pacific Union, San Francisco
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Berber and Flaherty Heller and Erhman
Beveridge and Diamond Henn, Etzel, and Mellon
Bronson, Bronson, and McKinnon Russell, Russell, and Patton
Ellman, Burke, Johnson, and Cassidy Stoel Rives, LLP
Gray, Cary, Ware, and Freidenrich William Want, Esq
Hackard, Taylor, and Phillips
CONSULTING FIRMS
AWARE MEC Analytical Services
Dewberry and Davis Moffatt and Nichol
EMCON (Wehran) Philip Williams and Associates
ERM PRC Environmental
Jones and Stokes Associates Roy F. Weston
Brian Kangas Foulk Tetra Tech
PLANNERS GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS
EDAW Golden Bear
FORMA MTP Golf Course Architects
Hart Howerton Robert Trent Jones, II
Roma Designs
SERVICES OFFERED
WETLAND DELINEATION process. Assessment tools are used by
AND ASSESSMENT government agencies in determining fish and
wildlife value, establishing protection and
preservation .criteria, and setting mitigation
w etland delineation requires expert
knowledge of wetland vegetation, hydric requirements.
soils, and wetland hydrology. Many variables
must be considered and field experience is A variety of assessment tools are available;
essential to assure property owners that the most however the most commonly used are the U.S.
aCcurate and appropriate boundary is established. Fish and Wildlife Service's Habitat Evaluation
Procedure (HEP), the Corps of
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. is at the Engineers/Federal Highway Administration's
forefront of the science of wetland delineation. Wetland Evaluation Technique (WET), and the
Dr. Josselyn, President, is a National Reviewer of recently introduced Hydrogeomorphic Approach
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Wetland (HGM). Each require specialized knowledge in
Plant List, used as the basis for determining the the field of wetland ecology and wildlife
presence of wetland vegetation. Dr. Josselyn has management in order to apply to a wide range of
also publiShed scientific papers cited in the Corps habitats. Dr. Josselyn served on the regional
Delineation Manual and continues to conduct panel for the development of WET. He is also a
sponsored research on wetland determination, consultant to the Corps of Engineers in the
Staff members have taught courses on ~vetland development of regional wetland evaluation
delineation to government officials and procedures for coastal wetlands (HGM). Mr.
consultants forCOE certification. Buchholz is certified in the use of HEP
including mitigation assessment.
Sound and objective data collection are necessary
requirements for accurate wetland determinations. Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. has
WRA has developed sampling procedures, data conducted wetlanddelineations and assessments
forms, and computerized data processing methods in a variety of wetland habitat types, including:
which allow for efficient and accurate data
analysis. The firm relies on the latest scientific ° Tidal salt and freshwater wetlands
techniques and approaches to provide its clients ° Non-tidal seasonal wetlands
with the best methodologies possible. · Riparian woodlands
· Vernal pools
Clear and concise reports provide the client and ° Freshwater marshes
the jurisdictional agencies with all the ° Mountain meadows
information required to make deciSiOns for land- ° Bottomland hardwoods
use plans, avoidance measures, and permit ° Seasonal forested wetlands
applications. Jurisdictional delineations prepared ° Man-made wetlands and ponds
by WRA have been uniformly accepted by
federal without Our clients include both governmental agencies
agencies
costly
re-investigation.
WRA staff have often provided third party and private business. All work is conducted
expertise in settling wetland jurisdictional promptly andconfidentially.
disputes.
Wetland assessment methods have become a
required component of the wetland planning
15
PERMITS AND REGULATION that have been mutually acceptable to all
parties.
C hange in the perceived value of
wetlands over the last 20 years has lead Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. has
to the development of complex regulations, experience a permitting areas,
in
number
of
Wetlands that used to be thought of as including:
wastelands to be drained or filled are now
valued as a dwindling natural resource. This ° Individual and Nationwide permits -
has lead to an increasing amount of federal Corps of Engineers
and state regulation. Yet, there is still no
comprehensive legislation. The result is a ° Section 401 Water Quality
complex tangle of overlapping and at times, Certification- Regional Water
conflicting local, state and federal regulation. Quality Control Board
The key to successfully handling the maze ° Section 7 and Section 10 ESA
of permits and approvals required for a project permits - U.S. Fish and Wildlife
is to recognize potential difficulties as soon as Service
possible. This requires a thorough
understanding of all aspects of the regulatory ° Streambed Alteration Agreements -
process. It is also important to have a California Fish and Game
working knowledge of the changing
interpretations of the laws by the agencies as ° Coastal Development Permits
they are occurring. California Coastal Commission and
San Francisco Bay Conservation and
Wetlands Research Associates has extensive Development Commission
experience in all aspects of the regulatory
process. The firm has solid, l°ng-standing ° Section 402 National Pollutant
relationships with the regulatory agencies Discharge Elimination System
enabling the staff to be on the pulse of Permits
changes as they develop. WRA subscribes to
a number of legal and regulatory newsletters ° Various State Wetland Permit
to keep in touch with changing regulations Programs
and court interpretations.
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. has
When consulted in the early phases of project assisted a number of organizations in their
planning Wetlands Research Associates can permitting needs, including government
identify potential problems and assist the agencies, non-profit organizations, and
client in avoiding or minimizing them. Once private companies.
the project process has begun the firm can
reduce the costly delays by working with the
agencies to resolve problems. The firm has
also assisted clients that have faced
enforcement actions from state and federal
agencies and effectively presented solutions
16
MITIGATION PLANNING, impacts, as well as (2) more closely meet
IMPLEMENTATION, AND
client/agency
goals.
MONITORING
Major mitigation plans have been prepared by
'[~/[-itigation is commonly used to reduce WRA for permitted projects requiring fill in
l¥1impacts associated with approved projects, seagrass beds, tidal wetlands, seasonal wetlands,
Mitigation includes avoidance, minimization, or forested wetlands, and freshwater marshes.
for wetland All must be Many of the firm's clients are governmental
compensation
impacts.
included within the planning process. However, agencies such as transportation departments,
the failures associated with mitigation have county public works departments, and local
received increasing attention by government jurisdictions; public service institutions such as
agencies and the public leading to doubt as to seaports and public utilities; as well as a number
whether any project within a wetland area should of private companies and businesses.
be approved. Project proponents must, therefore,
sound and well conceived in Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. offers full
develop
projects
order to gain permit approval, services in the implementation and
monitoring of mitigation plans. The firm can
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. provides supervise grading, install and service plant
outstanding experience and skills in mitigation materials, and complete monitoring plans in
planning for all wetland habitats. The firm's compliance with permit requirements.
principals have been involved in monitoring Successful plantings have been conducted for
many mitigation projects in California and tidal marsh, freshwater marsh, riparian, and
published a manual on the planning and design peripheral halophyte vegetation.
elements that must be considered in wetland
mitigation projects. Dr. Josselyn is
the
author
of
an Environmental Protection Agency sponsored
report on the status of wetland mitigation on the
Pacific coast. This first-hand knowledge
provides our clients with the assurance that their
mitigation needs are being met through careful
and experienced professionals.
The success ora mitigation plan requires design
flexibility and attention to detail. WRA staff
conduct biological site surveys to determine
mitigation needs, establish project mitigation
objectives, work with project sponsors to design
land-uses that are compatible with wetland
resources, and coordinate with civil engineers and
hydrologists to consider the site constraints and
opportunities for wetland creation. Meetings
with agency personnel assist in the finalization of
acceptable mitigationplans. The incorporation of
flexibility in wetland design combined with joint
client/agency direction during the monitoring
period allows for successful fine tuning the
design to (1) adjust for unforseen weather or site
17
ENVIRONMENTAL Major environmental impact assessments
IMPACT ASSESSMENT on which WRA has worked include:
'!~ nvironmental law requires the · BART Warm Springs Extension
.l_L/assessment of adverse impacts associated · Bolsa Chica Wetland EIR,
with proposed projects. States vary in their Huntington Beach
documentation requirements, but most require · Cargill Salt Salt Pond Maintenance
an assessment of the impacts, an
evaluation
of
EIR
measures to mitigate those impacts, and a · Chevron Deepwater Outfall
statement as to the unavoidable impacts that · Dulles Toll Road Extension, Virginia
must be considered in the evaluation. · Fremont Airport Business Park
project
Because wetlands are a sensitive natural · Highway 37 Improvements Project
resource recognized by the state and federal · Marathon Development EIS
government, they often play a central role in · Montezuma Slough Mitigation Bank
the impact analysis. EIR/EIS
· Route 13 Relief Route, Delaware
Wetlands support a number of key functions · Route 131 Extension EIS, Michigan
and values that must be evaluated in the ° Tasman Urban Mass Transit Corridor
environmental review process including flood · Winchester Development EIR,
flow storage, nutrient and sediment retention, Auburn
groundwater recharge, and fish and wildlife
resources. The latter is particularly important WRA staff also prepare environmental
given the rare and endangered species often assessments, checklists, and mitigated
associated with wetlands. In some cases, negative declarations. The staffworkclosely
special studies are required to identify and with the sponsoring agencies to respond to
confirm the presence of these species within a comments and make public presentations.
proposed project area.
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. has
provided its clients with specialized services
in the area of environmental impact
assessment, especially in conducting
biological assessments and inventories. WRA
staff and subcontractors conduct vegetation
surveys, bird nesting surveys, small mammal
trapping, herpetological surveys and both
short and long-term monitoring of migratory
bird use. WRA also performs biological
assessments, impact assessments, and
mitigation for rare and endangered species.
Impact assessments utilize recent scientific
literature and field studies to analyze the
impacts on sensitive plant, wildlife and fish
resources by the proposed projects.
18
BIOLOGICAL STUDIES: species (black rail, western snowy plover),
SPECIAL STATUSSPECIES candidate species (e.g., San Francisco
forktail damselfly, valley elderberry
'l~ are and endangered species and wetlands longhorn beetle, California red-legged frog,
_tx~are nearly synonymous. The loss of salt marsh yellowthroat, Delta tule pea,
wetland habitats, fi'om vernal pools to tidal Suisun thistle, and Hoover's button celery),
marshes, has resulted in dramatic range and California species of special concern (e.g.,
restrictions and population' declines in burrowing owl and Suisun marsh aster).
numerous wetland plant and animal species.
Projects that affect wetlands necessarily impact Wetlands Research Associates has completed
the special status species that inhabit them. the following projects that included significant
issues concerning state and federal endangered
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. has an species, candidate species, or California
established trackrecOrd for assessing impacts to Species of Special Concern:
these species, preparing mitigation for impacts
that are acceptable to regulatory agencies, and ° Caltrans Route 3 7 Highway
then securing the permits for project Improvements
implementation. Our knowledge and ° Stanly Ranch Lowland Enhancement,
experience in wetland assessments, ~vetland Carneros Valley Investors
impact and mitigation analyses, and wetland ° Giacomini Ranch Enhancement,
enhancement and restoration is fully integrated GGNRA
with our work on rare and endangered species. ° Union City Marsh Enhancement, East
Bay Regional Parks
Biologists at WRA can identify possible special ° Cargill Salt Dredge Lock Use Permit,
status species in a project area, assess habitat Cargill Salt Western Division
values, and quantify population abundance and ° Laguna Salada Enhancement Plan,
distribution. Depending on the project City and County of San Francisco
requirements, Wetlands Research Associates ° Winchester Development, M/J
provides expert analyses ofproj ect impacts and Properties
mitigation, or habitat management plans for the ° Rancho San Carlos, Pacific Union
special status species. Such information is
required by agencies such as the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Fish and Game Departments,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other
regulatory agencies. WRA then handles formal
consultations with agencies as required by the
Endangered Species Act.
Wetlands Research Associates has prepared
biological assessments, impacts and mitigation
analyses (EIR's), and enhancement plans for
federal endangered species (salt marsh harvest
mice, California least tern, California
clapper rails, San Francisco garter snake,
Contra Costa goldfields), state threatened
19
RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT Examples of our restoration experience include:
PLANNING
Palo Alto Baylands Wetland Restoration:
City of Pa/o Alto
r'l'nhe practice of wetland restoration and s,, FrancisCoNationaiPresldiOparkTidaIserviceWetland Restoration:
lenhancement has in the Salada Freshwater Restoration:
grown
tremendously
Laguna
Lagoon
City of San Francisco
past twenty years. Some restoration projects are ~i ..... ini Ranch Enh ....... t:
directed towards the protection and expansion of aoIdon Gate National R ..... tion Area
vegetation, wildlife and fish resources, especially Mis~io, B.y Tidal mrsh Restoration:
City of San Francisco
rare and endangered species. Others are designed s ....... Bayiands Enh ........ t Plan:
Sononm County Land Trust
to integrate natural resource values ~vith recreation ~orth Richmond Waterfront Master Plan:
and public education about wetlands. Many are C,y of Richmond. CA
Rush Ranch Tidal Marsh tManagement & Enhancement Plan:
also undertaken to replace unavoidable losses so~=o County Farmlands and Open Space
associated with public and private development. ~e~n~dy Park S ...... I Wetland Restoration:
City of Napa Recreation and Parks Department
San Antonio Creek Floodplain Restoration:
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. has been a s ...... County Water Agency
Redwood High School Marsh Restoration:
leader in this field, assisting government and non- Marln Audubon Society
profit agencies in implementing successful Tih .... Freshwater Marsh:
Town of Tiburon
restoration projects. The firm has completed over o .... Park Tidal Marsh Enl ........ t:
60 projects that have involved the combined input s ...... County Regional Parks
from biologists, hydrologists, engineers, S. lin..~m~e,'Lagoo. Ma..gcounty of Monterey ..... tPla,:
governmental officials, and the public. The staff UnlonCityMarshEnh ........ tPlan:
East Bay Regional Parks
successfully groups Remillard Freshwater Pond Restoration:
have
worked
with
all
of these
to meet the federal governments policy of "no net r .... fLarkspur
lOSS" of national wetland resources, and protection Mayhews Landing Refuge Restoration:
Mayhews Landing Assoc/USFWS
of plant and animal resources. Cat~w.y Technology Park
Cargill Salt, W ..... Division
Batiquitos Lagoon Enhancement Plan:
The broad professional experience of the staff at Ca~l,bad Port o~ Los Angel ....d City
WRA is the key to our selection for restoration Bo~ Chica Wet,a.d R=toratio.:
Cottnty of Orange
platming projects. The staff has the training to San DieguitoLagoonRestoration
identify important natural resource values within Sont~e= Cal~ro~a Ud~on
existing wetland habitats, the kmowledge of a wide Laguna LaRes Enl ........ t Plan:
Laguna Greenbelt
variety of wetland enhancement teclmiques and ~.tnra River Estna,'y Enh ....... , Plan:
management tools, the understanding of species City o£B .............
Ballo.a Tidal La Don Restoration:
requirements and complex ecological interactions, ~al~o~na Lagoon Marine P .......
and the experience in implementing restoration Fairview & Talbert Park Master Plan:
County o£ Orange
projects; all of which are vital in seeing a project ,.,,~.gto. Beach TidaIMarsh Restoration:
Huntington Beach Conservancy
through to completion.
Chula Vista Bayfront Enhancement Plan:
City o£Chula Vista
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. has developed s.. Joaquln Freshwater Marsh Enh ....... t:
City of Irvine
an approach t° wetland restoration planning that is
well received by its clients, government agencies,
and the public. The staffis thoroughly prepared to
address a wide variety of issues and has the
experience to effectively present the project
alternatives at public meetings. The firm's long-
standing credibility in coastal and inland wetland
restoration is a valuable asset to our clients.
EXPERT CONSULTATION Where solutions cannot be reached through
AND WITNESS SERVICES negotiation, the firm provides expert witness
services. Dr. Josselyn has been qualified in
W ~etland issues are complex given the federal courts as an expert witness in wetland
large number of laws and policies, ecology
and
restoration.
The
firm
has
been
conflicts between landowners and retained by the U.S. Department of Justice
environmentalists, and uncertainties and the California State Attorney's Office to
concerning wetland management and provide expert witness services. In addition,
mitigation. There are few easy solutions to WRA has provided expert witness services to
conflicts involving wetlands. Negotiation, industry in disputes with other private parties
compromise, and agreement require a and with government agencies.
substantial commitment of time and effort by
all parties. Where agreement is not possible,
legal action is always a possibility.
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. provides
expert consultation services to government
agencies and industry. The firm strives to
collect the objective and scientifically valid
information using standard and state-of-the-art
procedures. Our reports and conclusions are
based on a thorough understanding of the
problem and a detailed explanation of our
findings. These services have won unifo~xn
acceptance from a number of parties involved
in disputes and have provided the basis for
agreement.
The firm has provided technical advisory
services to the San Francisco Bay
Conservation and Development Commission
since 1986. We have assisted in resolving a
number of long-standing permit and
enforcement issues. The firm principal, Dr.
Josselyn is also a technical consultant to the
California Coastal Commission and the
California Department of Parks and
Recreation. In addition, WRA staff are
frequently called to provide short-term
technical consultation to agencies and
industry to resolve conflicts and reach
mutually satisfactory solutions.
SELECTED PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
22
CEQA/NEPA EXPERIENCE
Cargill Salt Levee Maintenance Program extent of salt pond maintenance, often
Biological Assessment, occurring in sensitive species habitat, has led
South San Francisco Bay to a highly complex, multi-agency
involvement with overlapping jurisdictions.
WRA conducted a series of Biological WRA played a key role in the consultation
Assessments of impacts to wetlands, tidal and permitting process, provided unbiased
mudflats, wildlife and endangered species and fair evaluations of impacts and
related to the use of 38 dredge locks and the mitigation requirements, and participated in
maintenance of 200 miles of levees negotiations to resolve conflicts.
surrounding 29,000 acres of salt ponds in
south San Francisco Bay (Alameda, San Route 37 Improvements, Vallejo, CA
Mateo, and Santa Clara counties). These
assessments were prepared for Cargill Salt WRA conducted biological studies, including
(Dredge lock permit application for assessment of rare and endangered species
USACOE), BCDC (an EIR/EA to meet for the proposed widening of Route 37 in
CEQA requirements), and under authority of Vallejo, Solano County, California. Studies
the USACOE as the designated non-federal were used as the basis for an EIR/EIS
representative for a Biological Assessment prepared by Caltrans for the highway project,
under Section 7 of the Endangered Species an EIR prepared by the City of Vallejo for
Act. the White Slough Specific Plan, and a
Biological Assessment that was used as the
basis for Section 7 consultations. WRA
conducted a wetlands impact assessment,
provided recommendations for minimizing
and mitigating impacts, and developed a
conceptual wetland mitigation and
monitoring plan. Selection and evaluation of
proposed mitigation sites and preparation of
a final mitigation plan was also conducted.
WRA prepared supplemental reports,
analyses and participated with Caltrans staff
in Section 7 consultations as required by
Cord grass planting.for Cargill Salt Company resource agencies.
Information for these assessments was based
on extensive field surveys, published and BART Warm Springs Extension Project,
unpublished literature, and informal and Fremont CA
formal consultations with resource agency
staff. During the preparation of these WRA and Baseline Environmental
documents, WRA worked closely with completed EIR/EIS studies and impact
agencies including the USACOE, USFWS, assessment for the 4-mile BART Warm
CDFG, EPA, RWQCB, and BCDC. The vast Springs Extension in Fremont, CA. The
23
scope of WRA's work included all biological development plan. The project analysis
studies required for the environmental review considered numerous hazardous waste sites
process, including special status species within the study region. The outcome was
surveys, delineation of jurisdictional used to locate sites for habitat protection,
wetlands using the U.S. Army Corps of public access, and restoration. As partofthe
Engineers methodology, preparation of environmental review process, WRA acted as
conceptual designs for mitigating project biological consultant in preparation of the
impacts, and hydrological analyses. The waterfront improvement project EIR.
project also required a wetland assessment
using the Wetland Evaluation Technique M o n t e z u m a S 1 o u g h W e t I a n d
(WET 2.0) to evaluate functions and values Enhancement EIR/EIS, Collinsville, CA
with respect to social significance,
effectiveness, and opportunity. WRA The proposed wetland enhancement project
completed the vegetation and ~vildlife review will use dredged material to raise elevations
and impacts analysis to prepare appropriate on a diked, subsided marsh to create the
mitigation measures for the project, largest contiguous tidal marsh in the San
Francisco Bay Area. WRA evaluated the
Waterfront Wetland Enhancement Study existing biological conditions, including
and EIR, North Richmond, CA federal- and state-protected species, and
documented findings in both text and GIS
WRA evaluated the biological resources maps in the vegetation/wildlife portion of the
along the shoreline of North Richmond in CEQA/NEPA document. WRAperformeda
San Francisco Bay. The study focused on comparison analysis of the suitability and
opportunities for shoreline restoration and feasibility of several possible habitat
urban waterfront development. The project combinations (enlarging tidal and managed
involved an assessment of tidal, non-tidal, seasonal wetlands) that could be created on
and stream wetland habitats within the site. WRA also prepared a monitoring
confines of a proposed urban waterfront program.
WETLAND DELINEATION,
ASSESSMENT AND pERMITTING
Oracle Shores Wetland Delineation, contamination. WRA conducted
Mitigation Plan, and Permitting, Redwood environmental baseline evaluations including
City, CA wetland delineation, habitat mapping, and
endangered species surveys. WRA met with
WRA prepared a Section 404 and BCDC agency personnel to resolve issues raised by
jurisdictional wetlands delineation and the Corps and other state and federal
wetland mitigation plan for an Oracle agencies after commenting on the PDN. The
Corporation R&D facility in Redwood City. permit process also involved extensive
One element of the mitigation involved negotiations with the Regional Water Quality
buffering wetland and endangered species Control Board.
habitat along Belmont Slough from potential
impacts of a planned recreational trail, shearwater Development Delineation and
Potential impact mitigation measures were Permitting, South San Francisco, CA
incorporated into design features in the
wetland mitigation plan. WRA prepared the Wetlands Research Associates, Inc
required Corps of Engineers Section 404- conducted a wetland delineation, wildlife
Individual and RWQCB - bay fill permits, assessment and developed a remediation and
wetland restoration plan for a proposed Bay
Brisbane Landfill and Southern Pacific West Cove, LLC development project in
Railyard Delineation, Brisbane, CA South San Francisco. WRA conducted a
wetland delineation using the 1987 Corps
Wetlands ResearCh AssOciates, Inc. prepared Impacts park
Manual.
of
various
and submitted a Corps of Engineers configurations wereevaluatedandmitigation
Pre-Construction Notification (PCN)for a measures provided. The plan involved
Nationwide38Permittofillisolatedseasonal placement of dredged material in a former
wetlands. Tuntex Properties was in the shipyard dock area and creation of wetland
process of completing a landfill closure plan habitat. The plan includes a public access
and was under a San Mateo County Health and viewing area surrounding the wetland
Department order to maintain a positive area. WRA prepared specifications for the
grade on the landfill to prevent water quality access landscaping and buffer areas.
Route 37 Improvements, Vallejo, CA prepared permit documents and participated
in the agency negotiations.
WRA conducted environmental and wetland
boundary determination within a 150 acre Tasman Corridor Light Rail Project,
Route 37 in the Santa Clara CA
study
along
area
Napa
County,
Marshes, Vallejo, CA. WRA conducted
extensive wetland delineation studies using WRA conducted a wetland delineation, an
the Corps 1987 Manual, wetland assessments assessment of wetland functions and values,
(WET 2.0) in a variety of habitat types (tidal, and mitigation planning studies for the
riparian, seasonalbrackish marsh, freshwater Tasman Corridor Project, Santa Clara
marsh, and wet meadow). The wetland County, CA. The Tasman CorridorProject is
delineation included determination of Corps a light rail mass transit system connecting the
Section 10 and 404 jurisdiction, as well as Milpitas area with Sunnyvale. An
determining BCDC bay and development assessment of wetland functions and values
band jurisdiCtions. All wetland imPacts using the Wetland Evaluation Technique
resulting from various (30 total) highway (WET 2.0) was completed for all wetlands
alternatives combinations were summarized delineated, Potential wetlands mitigation
in a series of tables to determine impacted areas were identified and conceptual
areas andadequacyofproposedmitigationas mitigation and monitoring plans were
related to total area, habitat type, and special developed for three wetland types, including
status species. WRA is currently acting as tidal marsh, brackish seasonal marsh, and
the Caltrans (District 4) technical consultant riparian forest.
preparing the Section 404, BCDC, RWQCB,
and CDFG 1603 permitting documents and BART Warms Springs Extension,
coordination. Fremont CA
Cargill Salt Company, Newark CA WRA completed delineation ofjurisdictional
wetlands using the U.S. Army Corps of
WRA conducted a wetland determination of Engineers methodology and preparation of
former crystallizers and salt production conceptual designs for mitigating project
facilities. The wetland determination was impacts for the four mile extension project.
approved by the Corps of Engineers. WRA The project also required a wetland
developed a consolidation plan for the assessment using the Corps of Engineers'
jurisdictional ponded areas ("waters of the Wetland Evaluation Technique (WET 2.0)
U.S.") on the tract~ The plan consolidated methodology to evaluate functions and
the ponded areas together on a portion of the values with respect to social significance,
site that also provided stormwater retention, effectiveness, and opportunity. WRA
The consolidation plan enabled the client to integrated data collected on special status
provide no net loss of jurisdictional areas species with wetland assessment results in
while allowing development of the remainder preparing appropriate mitigation measures
of the site. Long term management and for the project.
monitoring plans were developed to ensure
success of the proposed project. WRA
26
Bear Creek Wetland Delineation and Santa Lucia Preserve Delineation, Carmel
Habitat Mapping, Merced, CA Valley, CA
WRA conducted a jurisdictional ~vetlands WRA delineated freshwater wetlands and
determination for the of corridors 20,000-acre site
Corps
Engineers,
riparian
on
a
near
Planning DiviSion that included 700 acres of Carmel, California. The project involved
flood control reservoirs and 33 miles of 2,000 acres of homes, interpretive and
creeks associated with a floodway recreational facilities, and golf with
course,
improvement project in Merced County. The the remainder of the site to be set aside as a
work included vegetation analysis and nature preserve. The habitats occurring on
mapping, soils analysis, and hydrological the site are extremely complex and diverse
analysis using the 1987 Corps Manual and included wetlands, redwood groves, and
methodology. Field work was conducted in various riparian habitats. WRA prepared a
a variety of habitats including drainage wetland and riparian management plan that
swales, vernal pools, and stream beds. Maps addressed potential land uses ranging from
and data sheets were submitted in the format grazing to residential housing and recreation
required bY Corps of Engineers. facilities. WRA also analyzed endangered
species issues and participated in Section 7
consultation involving the red-legged frog
,with USFWS in conjunction with the
preparation of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
permit documents.
BCDC APPROVALS
Many projects listed under wetland Engineers to create a drilling pad for natural
delineation and permitting above involved gas exploration in Suisun Marsh, Solano
Corps of Engineers, RWQCB, and BCDC County. Permit applications required
permitting and approvals. The projects listed completion with a short time line to meet
below included more than the usual BCDC environmental restrictions on time of year for
involvement, drilling activity. Permits were prepared by
WRA for the San Francisco Bay
Cargill Salt Dredge Lock and Levee Conservation andDevelopmentCommission,
Maintenance Program, San Francisco Bay the Corps (San Francisco District), and
County of Solano. WRA conducted the
WRA conducted assessments impacts to studies, analyzed
of
environmental
site
tidal wetlands, tidal mudflat, wildlife and alternatives and drilling alternatives,
endangered species from use of 38 dredge prepared mitigation and monitoring plans,
locks and maintenanCe of 200 miles of levees and
surrounding 29,000 acres of salt ponds in the
south bay. These assessments were prepared
for Cargill Salt, BCDC (an EIR/EA under
CEQA), and under authority of the Corps as
the designated non-federal representative for
assessment under Section 7 of
a
biological
the Endangered Species Act. Tasks included
preparing environmental assessment, the
permit application, and an alternative
analysis for alternative dredge options.
WRA played a key role in the consultation
and permitting process, provided unbiased
and fair evaluations of impacts and
mitigation requirements, and participated in
negotiations to resolve conflicts. All BCDC Hydrological modeling in a seasonal wetland
and Corps permitting was approved and the
levee maintenance program is currently in prepared all permit applications. Following
progress, submittal of permit applications, WRA
monitored progress by contacting agencies
ABA Energy Exploration, Suisnn Marsh, and responding to comments, including
Solano County, CA presentations at BCDC.
The ABA Energy Exploratory Drilling The project was granted all permits and was
project required a temporary fill permit from completed in 1993. Monitoring of the site is
BCDC and the U.S. Army Corps of currently inprogress.
28
Tosco Refining Company, Avon Refinery,
Contra Costa County
WRA provided BCDC an Corps of Engineers
wetland permitting and wetland delineation
services for Tosco Refining Company, Avon
Refinery. Tosco Refining Company was
successful in obtaining construction permits
from the Corps of Engineers, the San
Francisco Bay Conservation and
Development Commission, and California
Regional Water Quality Control Board
through the efforts of WRA.
BCDC On-Call Consulting Services
WRA has been the BCDC wetland consultant
since 1986. Services include evaluating
wetland restoration/enhancement plans
submitted to Bay Conservation and
Development Commission as part of permit
applications, providing short reports to staff
on wetland issues, and conducting field work
in support of Commission actions.
ENDANGERED SPECIES AND
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Baylands Restoration, Palo Alto, CA
WRA was biological consultant in the development
of a Master Plan for 24 acres wetland and
endangered species habitat enhancement in the Palo
Alto Baylands, an important potential expansion
area for California clapper rail. WRA prepared
for construction of an eleven
conceptual
design
acre
tidal wetland mitigation area, and participated in
engineering design and construction oversight. The
plan included restoration of tidal wetlands in a
dredged material disposal site and creation of
endangered species habitat. Buffer landscaping and
public access routing were used to minimize public
Assessment studies involved
use
impacts.
determining restored marsh vertical zonation based
on local tidal characteristics and developing methods
to improve dredge material soil characteristics.
Endangered clapper rail habitat restoration, diked Batiquitos Lagoon Project
wetland habitat values, and public access impacts
were reconciled in the final design. The project was Batiquitos Lagoon Enhancement Plan and
reviewed favorably by the public agencies and both Environmental Monitoring, Carlsbad, CA
phases of a two-phase construction plan for tidal
marsh restoration were permitted, funded and WRA developed an environmental management
completed. WRA is currently conducting the fifth plan to protect existing wetland and wildlife
year of post construction monitoring. The resources while a major dredging project is
establishment of upper marsh plants was allowed to undertaken to restore tidal action to the lagoon.
take place naturally and developed nearly total cover WRA worked in conjm~ction with project engineers
the firSt growing season. Low marsh cord grass to asSure dredging plan incorporated environmental
planting suffered high mortality during the first year safeguards.
from waterfowl grazing, but the remaining plants
spread vegetatively at a rapid rate in subsequent The firm developed a salvage and transplanting
years, reaching nearly total cover by the fourth year. plan fo.r vegetation impacted by dredging, including
No acid soil conditions developed in the high marsh, marsh and subtidal plant species. Currently WRA
Buffer landscaping, access routing, and public is conducting environmental monitoring services
education havebeensuccessful in minimizingpublic for the City during the three year construction
use impacts, project. The design for least tern nesting area has
been successful in recruiting over 250 nesting pairs
of birds.
Route 37 Improvements, Vallejo, CA of these documents, WRA worked closely with
agencies including the USACOE, USFWS, CDFG,
WRA conducted an assessment of rare and EPA, RWQCB, andBCDC. The vastextentofsalt
endangered species for the proposed Caltrans Route pond maintenance, has led to a highly complex,
37 Improvements Project. Extensive field surveys multi-agency involvement with overlapping
for clapper rails, black rails, salt marsh jurisdictions. WRA played a key role in the
yellowthroats, and San Pablo song sparrows were consultation and permitting process, provided
performed. WRA also coordinated salt marsh unbiased and fair evaluations of impacts and
harvest mouse surveys. A review of existing mitigation requirements, and participated in
wetlands for special status wildlife and plant species, negotiations to resolve conflicts.
and consultation with agency personnel and other
interested parties was performed. WRA conducted Napa Marshes Wildlife Resources Study, Napa
a wetlands impact assessment, provided County
recommendations for minimizing and mitigating
impacts, and prepared a conceptual wetland WRA conducted field and literature studies of the
mitigation and monitoring plan. Selection and 10,000-acre Cargill Salt pond system along the
evaluation of proposed mitigation sites and Napa River. Studies involved extensive field
preparation of a final mitigation plan was also surveys for birds, fish and wildlife resources,
conducted. WRA prepared the Biological including surveys for sensitive species. Land use
Assessment documentandsupplemental reports and maps and habitat maps were used by State of
analyses, and participated with Caltrans staff in California for determination of potential for
Section 7 consultations as required by resource acquisition and restoration client successfully sold
agencies. One focus of the informal agency property to the State for $36 million, in part based
consultations was to develop a highway construction on biological value. Technical studies combined
schedule and approach to avoid or minimize special data from intensive field work and existing
status species impacts, especially those related to literature. In addition, WRA biologist monitored
sensitive clapper rail nesting areas, several water parameters and established
correlations between water quality observation and
Cargill Salt Levee Maintenance Environmental avian and fish species diversity and abundance.
Assessments, South San Francisco Bay Land-use development maps used by the State of
California for determination of potential for
WRA conducted assessments of impacts to wetlands acquisition and restoration.
and endangered species related to the use of 38
dredge locks and the maintenance of 200 miles of Laguna Salada Wetland Enhancement and San
levees surrounding 29,000 acres of salt ponds in Francisco Garter Snake Mitigation Plan,
south San Francisco Bay (Alameda, San Mateo, and Pacifica, CA
Santa Clara counties). These assessments were
prepared for Cargill Salt (dredge lock permit WRA assessed existing habitat values and prepared
application for USACOE), BCDC (an EIR/EA to a wetland enhancement and endangered species
meet CEQA requirements), and under authority of mitigation plan with Philip Williams Associates,
the USACOE as the designated non-federal hydrologists, for the San Francisco Park and
representative for a biological assessment under Recreation Department, Sharp Park facility in
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Pacifica. The plan involved developing wetland
enhancement measures for the Laguna Salada
Information for these assessments was based on wetland area within the park, which includes
extensive field surveys, published and unpublished sensitive habitat for the red-legged frog and the San
literature, and informal and formal consultations Francisco garter snake.
with resource agency staff. During the preparation
31
WRA worked with local experts, including Samuel a restoration design for historic tidal wetlands and
McGi~mis, PhD, a San Francisco Bay Area expert on dunes along the San Francisco Presidio, Crissy
Field bay shoreline. Important issues in the
development of the restoration and management
plan included assessment of historic conditions
using field studies and available documents and
photographs, balancing the need for public access
with maintenance of wildlife habitat values, and
integrating requirements for long term stability
with the objective of establishing a naturally
functioning system. Plan development included
working with Park Service planning staff, state and
federal resource agencies, interested public and
The federally threatened California red-legged.frog private groups, and a team of hydrologist, planners,
SFGS ecology, to integrate the snake element into and engineers.
the overall wetland enhancement project. The final
plan both protected existing SFGS habitat values Doran Marsh Management Plan, Bodega
and enhanced breeding and rearing potential for the Harbor, CA
area.
WRA prepared an enhancement and management
Naval Weapons Station Endangered Species plan for a tidal salt marsh system in Bodega
Habitat Remediation, Concord, CA Harbor, CA as part of a mitigation for construction
of the Spud Point Marina. The most important
WRA provided consulting services to the U.S. Navy element of the management plan was the creation
and Department of Justice in evaluating the impact of a six acre shallow tidal pond to provide
of a toxic spill in an endangered species wetland shorebird foraging habitat during high tides in
habitat. WRA provided technical services in plant Bodega Harbor. The conceptual plan documented
sampling and in soil and endangered California the existing conditions, restoration and
clapper rail habitat characterization. The firm management alternatives, environmental impacts
performed an ecological assessment and prepared a associated with each alternative, and proposed a
restoration plan. WRA also developed bid recommended enhancement plan with estimated
specifications for removal of toxic material, construction costs. Development and approval of
backfilling of the site with appropriate marsh soils, the mitigation plan involved informal consultation
and planting of marsh vegetation. The firm and negotiation with regulatory and resource
developed project scheduling for the biological agency staff and formal review by a technical
of the construction schedule and committee. All elements of the mitigation
component
advisory
identified source material for backfill from existing construction were completed in 1993; WRA
on-going dredge operations. WRA provided expert developed and conducted monitoring studies
testimony in reaching a settlement between the Navy through 1998, when resource agencies endorsed the
and adjacent landowners concerning responsibility
for the spill WRA has an on-going contract for
biological and soil monitoring services.
San Francisco Presidio, Crissy Field, Tidal
Wetland Restoration and Management Plan
WRA and Philip Williams & Associates developed
32
success of the project by allowing Regional Parks to
discontinue further monitoring. The new habitat
succesSfully attracted a significant portiOn of the
harbor shorebirds to the high tide roosting and
foraging pond during post project seasonal
migrations.
White Slough Marsh-Guadalcanal Village Tidal
Marsh Restoration, Vallejo, CA
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. acted as prime
contractor to Caltrans leading a team of seven sub-
consultants to study the biological and hydrological
effects of the proposed widening of Route 37 in
White Slough Marsh, Vallejo, California. A
significant element of the proposed mitigation for
project impacts was to restore a 55-acre diked,
historic wetland site along Dutchman Slough in the
Napa Marshes and at the eastern boundary of the
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuse.
The 55-acre tidal marsh restoration mitigation plan
is currently in the construction phase. The mitigation
requirement of creating functioning tidal marsh
habitat within five years created significant design
challenges. The area has subsided during its diked Fgetlandplantings at Santa Lucia Preserve
period and requires regrading and top soil import to
create suitable habitat within specified 5-year Slough. Modeling included successive bathymetric
development period. In addition, plannedrestoration changes to the slough to simulate equilibrium
efforts by the SPBNWR in the adjacent Cullinan channel geometry caused by scour from increased
Ranch had to be assessed and integrated. WRA tidal prism, and modeling of a mature marsh (after
supervised engineering feasibility studies to address sedimentation) to assess long-term channel
these and other issues. Specific tasks include stability. Excedance frequencies for various tidal
numerical modeling of tidal hydraulics at elevations (inundation duration) were determined,
Guadalcanal Village and Cullinan Ranch (1500 and used in design development of the mitigation
acres) assuming the sites are restored to tidal action, plan.
evaluating impacts to Dutchman Slough and levees
along the slough as a result of increased tidal Santa Lucia Preserve Wetland Management
velocities, and preparing construction documents Plan, Carmel Valley, CA
for the project. Tidal hydraulic modeling was
conducted using the MIKE 21 finite difference WRA developed a habitat management plan for
model developed by the Danish Hydraulic Institute. wetlands and riparian corridors on a 20,000-acre
Several alternatives were analyzed to quantify site near Carmel, California. The projectinvolved
impacts of the Cullinan Ranch marsh restoration 2,000 acres of homes, interpretive and recreational
project on the Guadalcanal project, and impacts of facilities, and golf course, with the remainder of the
both projects on the hydraulics within Dutchman site to be set aside as a nature preserve. The
habitats occurring on the site are extremely
complex and diverse and included wetlands,
redwood groves, and various riparian habitats.
WRA prepared a wetland and riparian management
plan that addressed potential land uses ranging from
grazing to residential housing and recreation
facilities. WRA also analyzed endangered species
issues and participated in Section 7 consultation
involving the red-legged frog with USFWS in
conjunction with the preparation of U.S. Army
of permit documents.
Corps
Engineers
Giacomini Ranch Enhancement and
Management Plan, Marin County, CA
WRA evaluated the feasibility of wetland and
riparian corridor restoration within a 400-acre dairy
ranch along the Coast Range in Marin County for
the National Park Service. The study examined
current and historic site conditions, and determined
the opportunities and constraints associated with
converting the land to wetland and riparian habitat.
Primary objectives of the study were to identify
historic impacts to riparian forest, fisheries, and
special status species, and develop enhancement and
management recommendations. Philip Williams &
Associates, project hydrologists, evaluated
hydrological changes influencing riparian forest in
the vicinity, including removal of a summer
~rrigation dam. Management recommendations
included on-site riparian forest enhancement and
off-site wetland restoration. Associated impacts to
special status fish, amphibians, and birds that used
the forest riparian habitat were also evaluated. The
plan was endorsed by the National Park Service and
local environmental groups.
34
REFERENCES
Wetlands Research Associates, Inc. has worked
for a large number of clients. We encourage new
clients to contact agencies and private businesses
with whom we have worked. The following people
have indicated a willingness to provide references as
requested:
David Howerton, Principal
Hart Howerton
30 Hotaling Place
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 986-4260
Robert Douglass
Cargill Salt, Western Division
7220 Central Avenue
Newark, CA 94560
(510) 797-1820
Ralph Appy
Port of LA
Environmental Management Division
PO Box 151
San Pedro, CA 90733-0151
(310) 732-3497
Edgar Washburn, Esq
Stoel Rives LLP
111 Sutter Street, Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 617-8900
35